Will my treatment be painful? Radiation treatments are painless, much like getting an X-ray. However, there may be pain associated with your treatment, for example, if you have back pain or chest pain when you lie down. You may also experience pain from the side effects of the treatment; for example, a bad skin reaction may feel like sunburn, or you may experience a bad sore throat if the esophagus is included in the treatment area. The nurse and the physician will help you manage any pain you have during your treatment. Will I be radioactive? External beam radiation does not cause you to become radioactive. The radiation is created by the treatment machine while you are in the room and does not leave the treatment room. There are no radiation precautions you must take while under treatment. However, if you have radioactive implants, there are some precautions that will be discussed with you. Will I lose my hair? You will only lose the hair on your head if your head is being treated. However, you will lose any hair in the area that is being treated. For instance, if your leg is being treated, the hair in that area will fall out. Even if there is hair loss in the area of treatment, it is not permanent. Does someone need to bring me for my treatment? If you are able to drive before you begin radiation treatments, you may drive while you are under treatment. There are only a few circumstances when we would limit your driving. If you are on pain medication that alters your reaction time or dulls your senses or if you are under treatment for a brain tumor, you will be asked not to drive. Do I need to restrict my daily activities? It is recommended that you continue any or all daily activities that you feel like you are able to do. Many people continue to work full time while under treatment. Get plenty of rest and maintain a healthy diet. Will radiation therapy make me sick? Most patients will not get nauseated from radiation treatments unless the area being treated includes the stomach.