South Brisbane QLD 4101
Your treatment journey in 3 steps
Your treatment journey in 3 steps
Preparation for Gynaecological Radiation Therapy
To ensure the effectiveness of your treatment, your doctor has advised you to prepare your bladder by filling it to a specific size and keeping it full throughout the treatment.
Benefits of bladder preparation
Bladder preparation for your radiation therapy involves drinking water. This involves drinking water to fill up your bladder and keep it in a good position. This can have several benefits, including protecting your bladder and nearby tissue from radiation, and making your treatment more accurate. The diagrams below illustrate the effects of a full and empty bladder.
The bladder is empty.
The small bowel is close to the treatment area.
The pelvis is less full so the gynaecological organs can move around.
✗
The bladder is full.
The small bowel is away from the treatment area.
The pelvis is more full so the gynaecological organs can’t move around much.
✓
Bladder preparation
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To prepare your bladder for your radiation planning appointment, drink lots of water in the days leading up to your appointment. Try to aim for at least 8 cups of water a day, and more in hotter months.
In the week before your CT planning appointment practice filling up your bladder.
To do this:
Empty your bladder
Drink 3 cups of water (about 750mL) in 5 minutes
Hold this for 30 minutes
When you arrive for your appointment, a radiation therapist will let you know when you need to fill your bladder.
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To prepare your bladder for your radiation treatment appointments, drink lots of water throughout the day.
40 minutes before to your treatment appointment:
Empty your bladder
Drink 3 cups (about 750mL) within 5 minutes
Hold this for 30 minutes until your radiation treatment appointment time
OR
As otherwise instructed.
Frequently asked questions
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If you are unable to hold your bladder for 30 minutes after drinking the 3 cups of water, please let the Radiation Therapist know and they will advise you what to do.
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Other drinks can dehydrate you. We recommend drinking only water for your bladder preparation.
If you have any concerns, talk to any member of the radiation therapy team.