Radiation Oncology, or Radiation Therapy, is vital in cancer treatment. It gives hope to millions of patients worldwide. You can use it alone or with other treatments, like surgery or chemo, to manage cancer cells.

Battling cancer comes with its own set of challenges. It involves making treatment decisions based on several important, common, or case-specific factors. You will have to browse the internet, which may make you confused and scared about what to do next. Learning about radiation oncology and therapy will help you choose treatments. Our experts at Sierra Hematology and Oncology are here to help you at every step of your treatment. In the meantime, we want to dispel a few myths about radiation therapy.

Myth #1: Radiation therapy is excruciating

Fact: The radiation therapy procedure is painless and similar to getting an X-ray.

You will lie on the table. A linear accelerator will use high-energy rays to target a specific area of your body. You may experience some dryness or irritation. But that happens during the therapy, not at the start of the treatment. A doctor and your oncologist’s diet tips can treat these side effects.

Myth #2: Radiation therapy will make you radioactive.

Fact: Yes, Internal Radiation Therapy, both Brachytherapy and Systematic, involves leaving radioactive material in the body. However, medical experts track this during treatment. We implement safety measures to minimise radiation exposure to people around you.

For external radiation therapy, the machine leaves no residue in your body after you turn it off. Medical experts perform all types of safe treatments.

Myth #3: Experts cannot use radiation therapy for early-stage cancer.

You can use radiation therapy at any time in your cancer treatment. You can use it before, during, or after it. Doctors can use it early to shrink a cancer tumour. You can use it after surgery or chemotherapy to kill the remaining cancer cells. Doctors can also use it as a primary treatment for breast, prostate, or cervical cancer. It is prescribed after considering multiple health factors. The system will determine when to use it and how many sessions are needed.

The procedure of cancer treatment varies from person to person, and that is why it cannot be concluded whether radiation therapy will used for early-stage or advanced-stage cancer treatment.

Myth #4: Side Effects For Radiation Therapy are the same for everyone

Fact: The side effects of Radiation Therapy depend on the size of your tumour, the targeted area in your body, and the radiation dosage during your treatment. The common side effects of the treatment include skin irritation and fatigue, but not everyone undergoing the treatment may experience these. For some, the side effects would be very severe, while others may not experience them at all. Your oncologist will help you understand what kind of side effects you will face and how to treat them.

Myth #5: Your cancer can come back post Radiation Therapy

Fact: Radiation Therapy is used as a post-cancer treatment in combination with other cancer treatment types to eliminate the possibility of cancer recurrence. The treatment aims to kill as many cancer cells as possible while ensuring that minimal normal cells are damaged during the procedure.

The dosage of radiation therapy is prescribed keeping the targeted area in mind, and this radiation treatment is not responsible for the recurrence of cancer cells in the body.

Myth #6: You will suffer severe hair loss everywhere after Radiation Therapy

Fact: Hair loss post-radiation therapy only occurs near the cancer treatment area and not elsewhere. For example, If you are undergoing treatment for breast cancer, you will not lose hair on your scalp.

Hair loss during treatment is mostly temporary and depends on the radiation dosage during your treatment. Your oncologist will be the right person to answer which body part will suffer hair loss and whether it will be temporary or permanent in severe cases.

Myth #7: Radiation Therapy is not for children

Fact: While Radiation Therapy is associated with adult cancer treatments, it can be utilised to treat child cancer cases as well. Children’s bodies are at a growing stage, which can make them more sensitive to radiation therapy, but the radiation dosage is regulated to minimise the long-term side effects.

Pediatric oncologists are specially trained to provide radiation therapy to children in a way that the treatment benefits outweigh its loss in the long run.

Myth #8: Radiation Therapy cannot be repeated during your treatment

Fact: Repeat Radiation Treatment is a completely feasible option. Combination cancer treatments involve making decisions based on the patient’s medical history, the type and size of the tumour, and other factors that vary from person to person.

Whether your body needs repeat radiation or not will be suggested by your oncologist based on how your body is reacting during your cancer treatment.

Myth #9: Radiation Therapy is an external treatment

Fact: Radiation therapy has two types. They are external beams and internal radiation. The latter has two subtypes: brachytherapy and systemic therapy. External beam therapy uses a machine to aim high-energy rays at a body part. Internal treatment involves placing radioactive material inside the patient’s body.

Both treatments are equally effective, whether alone or in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy.

Myth #10: You cannot lead a normal life while undergoing radiation therapy.

Fact: Many patients continue their daily routine while undergoing radiation therapy. The sessions are usually quick and spread over a few weeks or months in some cases. Patients find it comfortable to schedule sessions during their daily activities.

Fatigue is a common side effect of radiation therapy. At a later stage, some patients may feel that their normal lives are being disrupted. Still, not everyone experiences the same bodily fatigue during treatment.

In the final section, we will answer some FAQs about radiation therapy

Q1. Is radiation therapy safe and effective?
Radiation treatment is safe and demonstrates high effectiveness in managing cancer cells.

Q2. Is it acceptable to undergo radiation and chemotherapy at the same time?
Oncologists sometimes suggest combining two cancer treatments for better efficacy if required.

Q3. Can I be around my pregnant wife while undergoing radiation therapy? If you are getting external radiation, it’s safe to be around your wife?
For internal radiation, please discuss it with your oncologist first.

Q4: After a month of radiation therapy, I am tired all the time. What should I do?
Fatigue is a side effect of radiation therapy. You should eat well and try to exercise. Your body needs strength now. Sierra Hematology and Oncology‘s experts urge patients to ask questions before deciding. Are you or someone you know battling cancer? Do you need help with what to do next? Please post a query here.