Breaking through radiation therapy myths

Radiation remedy can play a useful function in an individual’s most cancers remedy plan. However Dr. Peterson desires to dispel a number of myths.

“There are a lot of misconceptions when a affected person hears the phrase radiation. Probably the most widespread is that radiation goes to make me sick,” she says.

She says negative effects from radiation are depending on what a part of the physique is being handled and the way a lot radiation is used. These negative effects can embody hair loss, pores and skin irritation, sore throat, nausea or diarrhea.

“And we work by way of these as we work the affected person by way of remedy. However, on the whole, it’s totally effectively tolerated, and most sufferers can proceed with their regular actions all through the course of remedy,” says Dr. Peterson.

One other false impression is the radiation goes to trigger one other most cancers.

“The chance of creating a second most cancers from radiation is exceedingly low. That is a long-term danger, one thing that would occur many years down the street, however the potential of the radiation to deal with the present tumor or the present drawback far exceeds that danger,” says Dr. Peterson.

The underside line is that trendy strategies of radiation remedy are exact. They aim the beams instantly on the most cancers whereas defending the remainder of the physique from excessive doses of radiation.

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A model of this text was initially revealed on the Mayo Clinic News Network.