Top 5 Most Frequently Asked Questions on Radiation Therapy
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Michael Chin lives and works out of his research lab in Worcester, Massachusetts. He is working as a research fellow for the University of Massachusetts Medical School, specifically in their Department of Radiation Oncology.
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Top 5 Most Frequently Asked Questions on Radiation Therapy
- 1. Top 5 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Radiation Therapy What does it do? Will it hurt? Get informed and make the right decision!
- 2. Many people fear radiation therapy treatments because they do not understand the process or have a good grasp of risks and benefits. Lack of information and misinformation can cloud your judgment and influence your decision-making capabilities negatively. Read the following answers to the most common FAQs and then talk to your doctor about what is right for you.
- 3. What does it do? Depending on its role in your treatment, radiation therapy can completely eliminate cancer cells, shrink a tumor for reduced pain, or reduce the risk of a cancer returning in the future. Check with your doctor to determine what role radiation therapy will play in your treatment. Image source: https://osuwmcdigital.osu.edu
- 4. Will it hurt? Radiation therapy treatments are completely painless. A small sample of patients report a small tingling or warming sensation but the vast majority of patients don’t feel anything at all! Afterward, the treated area might be a little sensitive and night be more prone to irritation
- 5. What are the side effects? Your radiation oncologist will customize your radiation therapy because no two people are alike and no two treatments are either. Side effects also differ from person to person, but the biggest issue is potential damage to surrounding organs that are very close to For example, men with prostate cancer might experience bladder problems while women receiving pelvic radiation might encounter fertility issues. Check with your doctor to find out what areas might be at risk for you. the treated area.
- 6. Is it safe? Radiation is invisible to the naked eye, but radiation oncologists use advanced equipment and sophisticated computers to control your treatment. Through this careful process, your medical team will be able to destroy cancer cells or slow tumor growth, all with careful oversight and an accurate delivery system.
- 7. Will I Be “Radioactive?” If you are receiving external-beam radiation therapy, then you won’t have to worry about radioactivity because there is no radiation left behind once the treatment is over. However, those who receive internal radiation therapy should learn about necessary precautions to decrease other peoples’ exposure because some radiation may remain after treatment.