Radiation Flashcards
What is radiation
Radiation therapy or radiotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells
What is radiation therapy used for
- to cure cancer
- stop the cancer from spreading and growing
- relieve painful symptoms
How is radiation therapy utilized in standard cancer treatments
It may be used alone, or together with surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy or other treatments
How does radiation work?
Using a machine to deliver high energy x-rays in your cells within the treatment area. The energy from the x-rays damage the cancer cells. When this occurs, the cancer cells cannot divide and grow easily. The cancer cells will begin to die and the body will naturally remove them. Nearby healthy cells may be impacted but may recover better than targeted cells.
What are the two types of radiation therapy?
- External beam radiation therapy
- Internal beam radiation therapy
What is external beam radiation therapy?
External beam radiation therapy uses a machine called a linear accelerator. This machine aims radiation directly at the cancer.
The machine moves around you without touching you, and it does not hurt. You may hear small buzzing sounds when the machine is on.
This is called local treatment, meaning the radiation only affects the part of the body being treated.
What is internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy)
Internal radiation is where the source of radiation is placed either inside your body or close to your tumour.
What is the responsibility of a Radiation Oncologist
- Prescribe and develop your radiation treatment to ensure safe and accurate treatment
- Meet wit you every week to check your progress during and after treatment
What is the responsibility of a Radiation Therapist
- Work with radiation oncologists to help develop your treatment plan
- Carefully position you and deliver the radiation therapy each day
- Check your progress and help you manage any side effects
What is the responsibility of a Specialized Oncology Nurse?
Work closely with Radiation Oncologists to explain side effects and help manage them
What is the responsibility of a Clinical Physicist?
Ensures the equipment used for treatment is working safely and accurately.
How would you manage skin changes from radiation?
- After 1-2 weeks of treatment, your skin may feel irritated: warm, red, swollen, dry and tight, itchy.
- Some areas of your skin may become dry, flaky patches in later weeks.
- Near the end of your treatment, you may face some moist, open areas of your skin. This is most likely to happen where two fold of skin comes together like under the breast or in the underarm.
- The skin in the area being treated will begin to heal about 2-3 weeks after finishing your radiation treatments.
How would you manage fatigue from radiation?
Fatigue varies with each person and may begin in early treatment and slowly increase. Usually can get better 1-2 months after treatment is finished.
- pace your self, break down jobs into smaller tasks
- plan rest time before and after activities
- get daily exercise
- keep a regular sleep routine
- eat meals at regular times throughout the day
- ask for help with activities you do everyday
What antioxidants are avoided during radiation treatment?
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Beta Carotene
Selenium
Why are antioxidants avoided throughout radiation treatment?
Antioxidants are nutrients found in some foods and also help in supplements such as pills. Antioxidants help your body protect your cells from damage and help repair damage to your cells.
Antioxidants are avoided since the goal of radiation is to damage cancer cells. Antioxidants may prevent your radiation treatment from being as effective because they may protect your cancer cells.
