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Why are daily bowel movements important?
Your prostate lies next to your rectum, and moves depending on whether your rectum is empty
or full. It is best if your rectum is empty for treatment as this means your prostate is less likely to
move, thus allowing the most accurate radiotherapy. Ideally you should open your bowels each
day before your radiotherapy.
If you normally open your bowels less frequently than this, you may find using a laxative helpful.
Your doctor or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) can advise on this. Ideally we would like you to
have a daily bowel movement pattern before you attend for your planning scan.
If this bowel movement pattern is not possible (it may be, for example, that you have treatment
appointments very early in the morning), then it is important to ensure you are maintaining a
regular bowel habit, and you are managing to open your bowels every day. This will help to
reduce the build-up of gas in your body and will also help to improve the accuracy of your
treatment. Please ensure that you inform your treatment radiographers if you suffer with
constipation during your radiotherapy treatment.
Below are other telephone numbers that may be useful. Answerphone messages will be
checked daily.
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How do I make a comment about my visit?
We aim to provide the best possible service and staff will be happy to answer any of the
questions you may have. If you have any suggestions or comments about your visit, please
either speak to a member of staff or contact the patient advice and liaison service (PALS) on
020 3313 0088 (Charing Cross, Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea hospitals), or
020 3312 7777 (St Mary’s and Western Eye hospitals). You can also email PALS at
pals@imperial.nhs.uk. The PALS team will listen to your concerns, suggestions or queries and
is often able to help solve problems on your behalf.
Alternative formats
This leaflet can be provided on request in large print, as a sound recording, in Braille, or in
alternative languages. Please contact the communications team on 020 3312 5592.
We have a free and premium Wi-Fi service at each of our five hospitals. For further information
please visit our website: www.imperial.nhs.uk.
Radiotherapy department
Published: October 2016
Review date: October 2019
Reference no: 2582v1 updated
© Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust