To assist with the emotional aspects of cancer and treatment, social workers and patient support groups
are available to you and your family to talk about fears and expectations. Nutrition specialists will offer
dietary advice, and the home care and hospice programs provide support, nursing care and in-home
services.
FAQ
How does radiation therapy work?
The purpose of radiation therapy is to kill cancer cells. Radiation affects all rapidly dividing cells, both
normal and abnormal. Treatment is designed to maximise the radiation dose to tumour cells while
minimising harmful effects to normal tissue. Normal cells have a greater ability to repair themselves
than do cancer cells. Because it is impossible to shield all normal tissue, some side effects may occur.
Your doctor and nurse will discuss the specific side effects with you.
Am I radioactive?
No, you are not radioactive and you will not be a danger to anyone during (unless with an implant) or
after your course of radiation therapy.
Will I feel the radiation?
Similar to having a routine X-ray, there is no sensation from the radiation.
Will I lose my hair?
You will lose hair only in the area that is receiving radiation therapy. The hair on your head will not be
affected unless you are receiving therapy to your head. This loss usually is not permanent. Be sure to
ask your doctor or primary nurse any additional questions about hair loss.
Will my skin be burned?
Skin reactions are a common side effect of radiation therapy. The skin within the treatment area may
look and feel like sunburn. You may experience dryness, irritation, tanning or peeling. These
conditions are temporary and will heal after treatments are completed. Your nurse will review with you
how to care for your skin during and after your course of radiation treatments.
Will I feel tired?
You may tire easily during your course of radiation therapy and need to rest more often. The degree of
fatigue varies widely from patient to patient and may persist for a few weeks after completion of
treatment. If you have questions ask your nurse or doctor.
Can radiation therapy cause another cancer?
Patients who have one cancer have an increased risk of having a second cancer later. It does not matter
how their first tumour was treated. The risk of developing a second minor because of radiation therapy is
very low.
Why does radiation therapy take so long?
Normal cells are able to repair DNA damage far better after small doses of radiation than after large
doses. In fact, experience with many thousands of patients treated over many decades has shown us that
we can minimise side effects by dividing a large total dose of radiation into many smaller daily doses
delivered over several weeks rather than giving a few massive doses in several days. Between each of
your daily doses, the normal cells are repairing their damaged DNA. This results in fewer side effects.
Although it seems very inconvenient to give treatment over such a long period of time, this is the only
way to deliver enough total radiation to permanently destroy your cancer without also permanently
hurting normal tissues.
Can I Miss a Treatment?
Unless a treatment break is prescribed by your doctor, it is preferable to receive all of your radiation
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