Radiotherapy Late Effects Service

The Radiotherapy Late Effects Service at Torbay Hospital supports people experiencing long-term side effects after completing radiotherapy.

These side effects can develop months, years, or even decades after your treatment ends. While some effects are minor, others can be more difficult to live with.

What are late effects?

Radiotherapy late effects are symptoms that can happen any time from six months to many years after your treatment finishes. Sometimes, a late effect is a symptom you had during treatment that never completely went away.

Symptoms vary from person to person depending on the part of the body that was treated. Depending on your treatment area, late effects can include:

  • tiredness and fatigue
  • pain
  • lymphoedema (swelling that usually affects an arm or a leg)
  • changes in how your bowel or bladder functions
  • changes in sexual function, intimacy, and sexual wellbeing
  • speech or swallowing difficulties, a dry mouth, or thick saliva
  • hormone changes
  • skin changes
  • emotional or psychological difficulties

This is not a complete list. Any concern you have is valid, and our team is here to discuss your options with you.

What happens at your appointment?

The service is run by a therapeutic radiographer who is specially trained to support people living with the long-term physical and emotional effects of cancer treatment.

This is a patient-led service. You will have the opportunity to share your concerns safely, and we will work together to create a personalized care plan.

Depending on your needs, we can support you by offering:

  • practical self-management advice and information
  • tailored care plans and medication reviews
  • referrals to other specialist healthcare professionals
  • signs to local and national support networks, services, and charities

How

to access this service

If you think you are experiencing late effects from your treatment, you can refer yourself directly or ask a healthcare professional to refer you. This could be your:

  • GP
  • oncology doctor
  • cancer nurse specialist (CNS)

If you have any questions about the service, you can contact the Radiotherapy Late Effects team.

Useful links and resources

For further information, support, and advice, you can visit these national charities and support groups: