This page is for patients who are about to start a course of radiotherapy to the pelvis for a gynaecological cancer. Before starting radiotherapy planning and treatment you will need to follow special instructions on preparing your bladder and bowels. This preparation process ensures your internal organs (bladder and bowels) can be moved away from the treatment area and so may potentially reduce any long-term side effects and damage to these organs from the radiotherapy. It also helps to make sure your internal organs on the treatment days are in the same position as on your radiotherapy planning scan. This page describes what needs to be done and what you need to do throughout your treatment.
- It is important that you drink at least two litres of water every day for one week prior to your radiotherapy planning scan appointment.
- Please stop drinking caffeine and alcohol to avoid being dehydrated.
- This will need to continue throughout your course of treatment.
Laxatives
- You will be prescribed Sodium Docusate 200mg tablets to take by mouth twice a day.
- Take the tablets with a large glass of water as prescribed-twice a day: two tablets in the morning and two tablets in the evening.
- Start taking the Sodium Docusate tablets one week before, and on the day of, your radiotherapy planning scan. If you are experiencing frequent loose stools, opening your bowels more than 4-5 times a day, stop taking the laxatives and call the radiotherapy department on 020 3447 3700/3701 and ask to speak to the radiotherapy review team for advice.
- Stop taking the tablets after your radiotherapy planning scan.
- Start taking the tablets again one week before the start of your radiotherapy treatment. These dates will be given to you by the radiographers when you have your radiotherapy planning scan.
- During your treatment, take the laxative tablets every day including weekends. If you are experiencing frequent loose stools, opening your bowels more than 4-5 times a day during treatment, stop taking the laxatives and ask to see the radiotherapy review team when you are next in the department for advice.
Enemas
- You will also be prescribed Microlette rectal enemas. The enema is medication which causes your rectum to empty with a bowel movement or passing of wind.
- The enema is contained in a small tube with a nozzle and is designed for easy insertion into the anus (back passage). The medication (5mls) is inserted into your rectum via the nozzle.
- If you require help inserting the enema, our nursing staff can assist you.
- Use the Microlette enemas on the day of your planning scan and on the day of your treatment sessions.
- Use the enemas when you are in the department, not at home.
If your planning scan shows your bladder is too small, or your rectum is too full, you will be asked to follow the preparation advice for another week, and have another planning scan a week later.
It is important that you understand and follow the instructions for preparation given to you. This advice must be carefully followed for the radiotherapy planning scan to be successful. If you have any worries or questions, please call the department on the number at end of this page.
Radiotherapy Department
t: 020 3447 3701
Page last updated: 06 September 2024
Review due: 30 September 2025