| Radiation therapy is carried out using a large machine | | | | which normally happens around a fortnight into |
| called a linear accelerator. The machine delivers a | | | | treatment. Fatigue can last up to a month after |
| minute quantity of high-energy radiation which kills the | | | | treatment is completed, but can be countered by |
| cancerous cells. The radiation causes only the | | | | getting more rest and having early nights. |
| absolute minimal damage to skin tissue and stop | | | | Blood will need to be checked regularly for reduced |
| cancer cells from reproducing. Radiation therapy has | | | | counts and some women will experience a sore |
| shown to vastly improve survival rates in women | | | | mouth or throat if treatment is carried out around |
| with breast cancer. Radiation therapy can be used for | | | | that particular area. There are also significant lifestyle |
| several reasons when related to breast cancer. | | | | changes that may have to be made while radiation |
| Following a mastectomy or lumpectomy, the | | | | therapy is taking place. Rest is imperative and close |
| treatment can be used in conjunction with | | | | attention needs to be paid to a healthy diet. |
| chemotherapy to lower the risk of cancer growing | | | | Regular blood tests will be necessary, and visits to |
| back. | | | | the doctor should be made if unusual symptoms such |
| Radiation therapy can also be used if a surgeon feels | | | | as coughing, sweating, fever or pain occur. The |
| that the removal of a tumor isn't entirely in the best | | | | affected area should receive extra care and be |
| interests of a patient's health. Treatment can also | | | | treated gently. Tight clothes around the area should |
| help if cancer has spread into the bone structure or | | | | be avoided to prevent rubbing. It's also important to |
| the brain, and can also be used if the cancer actually | | | | moisturize the affected area after radiation therapy |
| reoccurs. | | | | is complete and the treated area must also be kept |
| The treatment process when undergoing radiation | | | | out of direct sunlight. |
| therapy is painless, but some patient can experience | | | | The advances in radiation therapy means that |
| side effects. These may include dryness and | | | | long-term side effects are quite rare but they do still |
| discomfort of the skin that can be treated by your | | | | occur. Rib fractures, lung inflammation, damage to the |
| general practice if it occurs. However, it can take up | | | | heart, scarring and the association of other tumors |
| to twelve months for the effects to completely heal. | | | | like sarcoma are all possible but not as common as |
| There is also the inevitable side effect of fatigue | | | | they once were. |