What you choose to wear to cancer treatment might seem like a minor decision, but these small details can make a big difference in your comfort during your appointment. Choosing the right outfit, as well as the right fabric and the right fit, are little decisions that can make hours-long appointments just a little bit more manageable. When you’re more comfortable, you might feel a little more empowered and in control, versus being confronted with an unnecessary clothing hiccup in the regularity of your treatment regimen. 

Here are some tips for how to dress comfortably at your appointment, whether it’s chemotherapy, radiation, or even a scan:

General comfort tips

Opt for comfortable, lighter fabrics and looser-fitting clothing. Cancer treatment can make your skin sensitive, itchy, or dry, so clothing that once felt comfortable before may not be suitable during this time. Additionally, hospitals and treatment centers can be chilly, so remember to dress in layers. Zip-up hoodies, button-up cardigans, or relaxed-fitting jackets can be great options that keep you warm without the hassle of having to pull anything over your head. 

Evidence-based guidance powered by NCCN Guidelines®

Personalized treatment plans shaped by the latest oncology standards—tailored to your diagnosis.

Get started

View your personalized treatment plan in the Outcomes4Me app

Use your diagnosis to unlock personalized NCCN Guidelines®-aligned recommendations.

Continue in app

For shoes, pick something that’s comfortable and easy to slip on and off, like lace-free sneakers or sandals.

What to wear for chemotherapy

Chemotherapy sessions can last for hours, so it’s best to wear clothes you can relax in. Loose-fitting tops that allow easy access to your infusion port or PICC line are ideal, think V-necks, button-downs, or wide-neck T-shirts. For bottoms, skip jeans or anything restrictive and go with sweatpants, leggings, or joggers with elastic waistbands. You’ll likely need to use the bathroom during or after treatment, and stretchy pants are far easier to manage than structured ones. The key is to wear something that won’t feel restrictive when you’re sitting in the same chair for an extended period.

For more information on what you should pack in your chemo bag, check out our blog on the essential items you should include.

What to wear to radiation therapy

Although radiation treatments are shorter, what you wear still matters. You’ll want clothing that makes it easy to access the part of your body being treated. For example, if you’re receiving chest radiation, a button-down shirt will be simpler than pulling a top over your head. 

Soft fabrics are especially important since radiation can cause irritation or tenderness on the skin. Avoid rough seams, tight straps, or anything that might rub against the treated area. Keeping jewelry and accessories at home can also save you the hassle of removing them each session.

What to wear to scans

When it comes to scans, machines can vary, but one rule applies across the board: avoid clothing with metal. With a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, powerful magnets are used, so avoiding metal is crucial to protect yourself from harm. With PET/CT scans, wearing metal could obscure the scanning process and alter the images.

Outcomes4Me Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Community and breast cancer survivor says, “Because MRIs use magnet technology, metal is a definite no-no, so I always double and triple check for any metal because it’s easy to miss little things like the tips on drawstrings or tiny snaps.” She adds, “I also take off any special jewelry at home because with treatment brain, I’ve forgotten things in the locker they give you.”

A safe choice is elastic-waist sweatpants or leggings and a plain cotton shirt. If what you’re wearing isn’t suitable, you’ll be given a gown to change into. For Suzanne, being comfortable during a scan is invaluable. She shares, “The simple comfort of being able to wear your own clothes during the scan can mean a lot.”

As always, if you would like to connect with an Outcomes4Me oncology nurse practitioner at no charge through the Outcomes4Me app, just use the “Ask Outcomes4Me” button.