Prostate

In order to recreate the same conditions within your body for both your planning CT scan and subsequent treatments, we need you to have a comfortably full bladder and as empty as possible rectum for all of these procedures.

The following instructions help you to achieve the required conditions. These instructions will also be printed out and given to you at the time of your first consultation with your oncologist.

It is recommended that you have a comfortably full bladder and an empty rectum for your planning CT scan appointment and also for each day you have a radiation therapy treatment. The aim of this is to maintain the relative positions of the prostate gland and the nearby organs, which will help to ensure that the treatment is delivered accurately.

Prescription

The Radiation Oncologist will have given you a prescription for dietary supplements at your first consultation. The Pharmacist will offer you a variety of brands and flavours, for example Ensure and Fortisip. Some of these products are sugar free for diabetics so please make the pharmacist aware of your requirements. Please do not choose the variety that has added fibre. The cost varies between products based on government funding and whether you have a Community Services Card.

CT Scan Preparation

The day before your CT scan, stop eating your normal diet and replace each meal with a can of Ensure or similar. Prior to going to bed, have one last can of supplement - making a total of four cans for the day.

Approximately 60 minutes before the CT scan, empty your bowel and bladder, and then drink 200mL of fluid. This can be juice or water.
Approximately 30 minutes before the CT scan, drink a further 200mL of fluid.

Daily Radiation Treatments

Resume the use of one can of dietary supplement, 24 hours before your first radiation treatment appointment. Use one can per day until you develop increased frequency or loose bowel motions. You can discuss this further with your doctor. For each radiation treatment appointment, please follow this routine:

Approximately 60 minutes before your treatment time, empty your bowel and bladder, and then drink 200mL of fluid.
Approximately 30 minutes before your treatment time, drink a further 200mL of fluid.

On arrival at ARO, if you feel full in the bladder, do not drink any more. If you feel you must pass water before being taken into the room, please inform the staff. You will then be required to have some more to drink. You will be able to relieve yourself once the treatment for the day has been delivered.

Report any concerns or problems with this programme to your radiation oncologist or to the nurses and Radiation Therapists who are looking after you. If you have any medical conditions that may affect your ability to follow these instructions please inform us.

We also ask you to follow the Dietary Guidelines below. This diet reduces flatulence. Gas in your bowel can move the prostate gland during treatment. Following this diet reduces the likelihood of this happening.

Dietary Guidelines

Start one week before your planning CT appointment
Continue until the end of treatment.

To promote regular bowel movements

Eat regularly and avoid skipping meals
increase physical activity
Drink 1.5-2 litres of liquid per day.

Avoid the following foods

Whole wheat bread
Muesli
Nuts, including peanuts
Peas, beans, cabbage, onions, garlic, red/green peppers, asparagus
Oranges, bananas, prunes, dried fruit
Hot and spicy foods
Carbonated beverages and beer
More than four cups of coffee per day.

Avoid swallowing air

Eat slowly and chew food well
Chew with your mouth closed
Do not chew gum
Sip beverages rather than gulping
Do not drink through a straw.

Acceptable fruits and vegetables

Lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, avocado, pumpkin, squash, carrot, and root vegetables such as potato and kumara
Canned fruits such as peaches
All fruit and vegetables should be peeled and cooked without pips or seeds
Fruit and vegetable juices are not restricted.

Please report any concerns or problems with these instructions to the radiation oncologist, nurses or radiation therapists who are looking after you. If you have any medical conditions that may affect your ability to follow these instructions please inform us.