The information in this section is based on the Cancerbackup booklet Pelvic radiotherapy in women: possible late effects, which was produced in accordance with the following sources and guidelines:

• How patients manage gastrointestinal symptoms after pelvic radiotherapy Gami B et al. Alimentary Pharmacology Therapy 2003; 18: 987-994
• Pelvic radiotherapy and its gastrointestinal side effects: Hobson’s choice? Gastrointestinal Nursing 2005; 3; 7: 18-24
• Bowel control: information and practical advice. C Norton and M Kamm. Beaconsfield, 1999.
• Radiation Oncology: Management Decisions (2nd edition). Chao et al. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2002.
• Vaginal stenosis in patients treated with radiotherapy for carcinoma of the cervix. Brand AH, Bull CA & Cakir B (2006), International Journal of Gynaecological Cancer, 16, 288-293.
• Interventions for the physical aspects of sexual dysfunction in women following pelvic radiotherapy. Denton AS & Maher The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003.
• Vaginal dilation associated with pelvic radiotherapy: a UK survey of current practice. White ID & Faithfull S (2006), International Journal of Gynaecological Cancer, 16, 1140-1146.
• Supportive Care in Radiotherapy. Faithfull & Wells, Churchill Livingstone, 2003.
• Non-surgical interventions for late radiation cystitis in patients who have received radical radiotherapy to the pelvis. Denton et al. Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews, 2002.
• Interventions for the physical aspects of sexual dysfunction in women following pelvic radiotherapy. Denton AS, Maher EJ. Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews, 2006.
• Lack of communication between healthcare professionals and women with ovarian cancer about sexual issues. Fallowfield et al. British Journal Cancer. 2003 Mar 10;88(5):666-71.
• Non-surgical interventions for late radiation proctitis in patients who have received radical radiotherapy to the pelvis. Denton et al. Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews, 2001.
• Pelvic radiotherapy increases risk of pelvic bone fractures. JAMA 2005;294:2587–2593
• Prospective evaluation of formalin therapy for radiation proctitis. Counter SF, Froese DP, Hart MJ. American Journal of Surgery 1999 May;177 (5):396–8.
• Stead ML. Sexual function after treatment for gynaecological malignancy. Current Opinion in Oncology 16: 492-495
• Urinary incontinence: the management of urinary incontinence in women. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. October 2006