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Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy-also called radiotherapy-is a highly targeted, highly effective way to destroy cancer cells that may linger after surgery. Radiation can reduce the risk of recurrence by 50% to 66% (about a half to two-thirds reduction in risk). Despite what many women fear, radiation therapy is relatively easy to tolerate, and its side effects are limited to the treated area.

Your radiation treatment will be overseen by a radiation oncologist, a cancer doctor who specializes in radiation treatment.

In this section you can read about:

How Radiation Works

Expert Quote
"Cancer cell growth is unwieldy and uncontrolled-these cells just don't have their act together like normal cells do. When normal cells are damaged by radiation, they are like a big city with a fire and police department and trained emergency squads to come and 'put out the fire.' Damaged cancer cells are more like a disorganized mob with a bucket." --Marisa Weiss, M.D.--
Light is a form of radiation energy that we can see. Radiation therapy includes other forms of radiation that have higher energy levels and are invisible to the human eye.

Radiation therapy's high-energy beams are focused on the area that needs to be treated. This might include the breast area, lymph nodes, or another part of the body. Over time, this focused radiation damages cells that are in the path of its beam¡Xnormal cells as well as cancer cells. But radiation affects cancer cells more than normal cells. Cancer cells are very busy growing and making new cells¡Xtwo activities that are very vulnerable to radiation damage. And because cancer cells are less organized than healthy cells, it's harder for them to repair the damage and recover. So cancer cells are more easily destroyed by radiation, while healthy, normal cells are better able to repair themselves and survive.


Ten Key Points About Radiation Therapy

  1. Radiation is a local, targeted therapy designed to kill cancer cells that may still exist after surgery. Radiation is given to the area where the cancer started or to another part of the body to which the cancer spread.
  2. The actual delivery of radiation treatment is painless. But the radiation itself may cause some discomfort over time.
  3. External radiation treatment, the most common kind of radiation therapy, does not make you radioactive.
  4. Treatment is usually given five days a week for up to seven weeks. Sometimes radiation may be given twice a day for one week.
  5. Since the daily appointments usually take about 30 minutes, you'll most likely be able to follow most of your normal routine during treatment.
  6. Radiation will not make you lose your hair, unless radiation is given to your head.
  7. In the area where you are receiving radiation, your skin can turn pink, red, or tan, and may be sensitive and irritated. Creams and other medicines can soothe these symptoms.
  8. During your treatment course, you may feel tired. This feeling can last for a few weeks even months after treatment ends.
  9. Most radiation side effects are temporary.
  10. Radiation therapy can significantly decrease the risk of cancer returning after surgery.

What to Expect

When you arrive for your first meeting with your radiation oncologist, you'll probably be anxious. These feelings are natural and normal.

Even after you understand what's going to happen and what radiation treatment is really like, new questions and concerns may come up. Weekly visits with your radiation doctor and nurse are a good opportunity to get answers and advice.

It's also common for the daily demands of radiation therapy over weeks to cause frustration. Your life is disrupted, and seeing yourself and others dealing with cancer every day can be upsetting.

On the other hand, many women find that they actually like seeing their treatment team every day. They develop a strong connection that is very reassuring.

Understanding the planning session, the schedule, a typical treatment session, and the expected side effects can help you overcome any frustration and anxiety you may feel about treatment.

Be an active partner in treatment:

Expert Quote
"Taking an active part in your care during your radiation can ease your fear and frustration, and lift some of that dreaded uncertainty." --Marisa Weiss, M.D.--
Like all doctors who treat patients with cancer, your radiation oncologist will want to work with you as a partner in your treatment. To get the most of this partnership, you need to:


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