A Study to Evaluate Knowledge of Radiotherapy Side Effects Among Cancer Patients

Year : 2026 | Volume : 04 | Issue : 01 | Page : 1 7
By

Rupinder Kaur,

  1. Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Sri Guru Ram Das University of Health Sciences, Punjab, India

Abstract

Introduction: Ionizing radiation is used in radiotherapy, which is typically administered as part of cancer treatment to either kill or stop the development of cancerous cells. Radiation therapy is synergistic with chemotherapy and has been used before, during, and after chemotherapy in susceptible cancers. About 68% of patients received radiation therapy. Although radiation treatment (RT) is harmless in and of itself, there is a chance of iatrogenic adverse effects. A short-term pain flare-up may occur in the days after treatment because of edema compressing nerves in the treated location. Acute long-term side effects and cumulative negative effects can all occur during therapy, months, or years after treatment, depending on the dosage. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study approach was used to assess knowledge of radiation therapy side effects among cancer patients. 60 cancer patients on radiation therapy were selected by using convenience sampling during the year 2022 at Sri Guru Ram Das Rotary Cancer Hospital, Vallah, Amritsar. Data was collected by a validated structured questionnaire. Results: The majority of the study subjects belong to the age group of 41–50 years. According to gender distribution, 51.7% were male and 48.3% were female. Approximately 83.3% of the patients had benign tumors, whereas 16.7% had malignant tumors (cancer). The result showed that 60% cancer patients had average knowledge, and 40% have poor knowledge regarding the side effects of radiation therapy. Discussion: 40% of cancer patients have poor knowledge regarding the side effects of radiation therapy. We can enhance their knowledge score by placing awareness/knowledgeable boards in respective areas because this knowledge is essential for patient empowerment, enabling them to anticipate, recognize, and manage symptoms effectively.

Keywords: Knowledge, side effects, radiation therapy, cancer patients, descriptive study

[This article belongs to International Journal of Oncological Nursing and Practices ]

How to cite this article: Rupinder Kaur. A Study to Evaluate Knowledge of Radiotherapy Side Effects Among Cancer Patients. International Journal of Oncological Nursing and Practices. 2026; 04(01):1-7.
How to cite this URL: Rupinder Kaur. A Study to Evaluate Knowledge of Radiotherapy Side Effects Among Cancer Patients. International Journal of Oncological Nursing and Practices. 2026; 04(01):1-7. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijonnp/article=2026/view=257506

References

  1. Suresh R, Raffi J, Yuen F, Murase JE. Treatment of moist desquamation for patients undergoing radiotherapy. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2019;5(2):124–125. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2018.12.002. PMID: 30997386; PMCID: PMC6451763.
  2. Sathishkumar K, Chaturvedi M, Das P, Stephen S, Mathur P. Cancer incidence estimates for 2022 and projection for 2025: result from National Cancer Registry Programme, India. Indian J Med Res. 2022;156(4–5):598–607. doi:10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_1821_22. PMID: 36510887; PMCID:
  3. Delaney G, Jacob S, Featherstone C, Barton M. The role of radiotherapy in cancer treatment: estimating optimal utilization from a review of evidence-based clinical guidelines. Cancer. 2005;104(6):1129–1137. doi:10.1002/cncr.21324. Erratum in: Cancer. 2006;107:660. PMID: 16080176.
  4. Baskar R, Lee KA, Yeo R, Yeoh KW. Cancer and radiation therapy: current advances and future directions. Int J Med Sci. 2012;9(3):193–199. doi:10.7150/ijms.3635. PMID: 22408567; PMCID: PMC3298009.
  5. Dörr W, Hamilton CS, Boyd T, Reed B, Denham JW. Radiation-induced changes in cellularity and proliferation in human oral mucosa. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2002;52(4):911–917. doi:10.1016/S0360-3016(01)02721-3. PMID: 11958883.
  6. Mehta P, Fahlbusch FB, Rades D, Schmid SM, Gebauer J, Janssen S. Are hypothalamic-pituitary axis deficiencies after whole brain radiotherapy of relevance for adult cancer patients? A systematic review of the literature. BMC Cancer. 2019;19:1213. doi:10.1186/s12885-019-6431-5. PMID: 31830931; PMCID: PMC6909600.
  7. O’Brien PC. Radiation injury of the rectum. Radiother Oncol. 2001;60(1):1–14. doi:10.1016/S0167-8140(01)00378-4. PMID: 11410298.
  8. Majeed H, Gupta V. Adverse effects of radiation therapy. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; updated 2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563259/
  9. Kawase E, Karasawa K, Shimotsu S, Izawa H, Hirowatari H, Saito AI, Ito K, Horikawa N. Estimation of anxiety and depression in patients with early stage breast cancer before and after radiation therapy. Breast Cancer. 2012;19(2):147–152. doi:10.1007/s12282-010-0220-y. PMID: 20814770.
  10. Turriziani A, Mattiucci GC, Montoro C, Ferro M, Maurizi F, Smaniotto D, Cellini N. Radiotherapy-related fatigue: incidence and predictive factors. 2005;30(2):197–203. PMID: 16294914.
  11. Baharvand M, ShoalehSaadi N, Barakian R, Moghaddam EJ. Taste alteration and impact on quality of life after head and neck radiotherapy. J Oral Pathol Med. 2013;42(1):106–112. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0714.2012.01200.x. PMID: 22862149.
  12. Manikantan K, Khode S, Sayed SI, Roe J, Nutting CM, Rhys-Evans P, Harrington KJ, Kazi R. Dysphagia in head and neck cancer. Cancer Treat Rev. 2009;35(8):724–732. doi:10.1016/j.ctrv.2009.08.008. PMID: 19751966.
  13. Yedidi RS, Yuen F, Murase JE. Methods for decreasing the incidence of moist desquamation in patients undergoing radiotherapy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021;85(4):e235. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.07.018. PMID: 30048663.
  14. Klopp AH, Yeung AR, Deshmukh S, Gil KM, Wenzel L, Westin SN, Gifford K, Gaffney DK, Small W, Thompson S, Doncals DE, Cantuaria GHC, Yaremko BP, Chang A, Kundapur V, Mohan DS, Haas ML, Kim YB, Ferguson CL, Pugh SL, Kachnic LA, Bruner DW. Patient-reported toxicity during pelvic intensity-modulated radiation therapy: NRG Oncology-RTOG 1203. J Clin Oncol. 2018;36(24):2538–2544. doi:10.1200/JCO.2017.77.4273. Erratum in: J Clin Oncol. 2019;37(9):
    PMID: 29989857.
  15. Fuccio L, Frazzoni L, Guido A. Prevention of pelvic radiation disease. World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. 2015;6(1):1–9. doi:10.4292/wjgpt.v6.i1.1. PMID: 25664197.
  16. Watters AL, Cope S, Keller MN, Padilla M, Enciso R. Prevalence of trismus in patients with head and neck cancer: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Head Neck. 2019;41(9):3408–3421. doi:10.1002/hed.25836. PMID: 31215723.
  17. Murkute U, Nausheen SN. A study to assess effect of information booklet on knowledge regarding side effect management in the patients of head and neck cancer undergoing external radiation therapy in selected hospital. Int J Health Sci Res. 2021;11(7):281–289. doi:10.52403/ijhsr.
  18. Chetan PS, Vijayalakshmi G. Effectiveness of planned teaching programme on side effects of radiation therapy among oral cancer patients. RGUHS J Nurs Sci. 2018;8(2):33–37.
Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 04
Issue 01
Received 23/02/2026
Accepted 30/04/2026
Published 09/05/2026
Publication Time 75 Days

Login

My IP

PlumX Metrics

Support