| SolveYourProblem
Article Series: Breast Cancer
Help Me Understand Breast Cancer
How
To Treat Breast Cancer With Radiation
If
you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with breast
cancer it will no doubt be a very stressful time.
From the start, your physician or specialist will take the
time to explain the different treatment options that are
available
to you and to determine what will be the best treatment plan
for your circumstances.
The type of cancer and what stage it is at will dictate the
best course of action and while it will vary for each person,
quite often it follows a course of surgery followed by chemotherapy
or radiation or a combination of both.
Radiation
is the use of high energy x-rays to target and kill cancer
cells. It is usually given after surgery has removed
the main part of the cancer and it is meant to catch any cells
in the breast area that weren't removed and to stop the cancer
from spreading or recurring. For cancers that may be larger
in nature the doctor may feel that using radiation before the
surgery will help reduce the size of a tumor and make the surgery
easier.
Radiation works well to destroy cancer cells because the nature
of these cell is to reproduce and grow rapidly out of control.
This actually makes them more vulnerable in a way in that they
are less organized and not able to bounce back and repair themselves.
Unlike like stable healthy cells that work to recover and repair
more efficiently.
If radiation is the only additional treatment you are taking
it will normally follow three to four weeks after you have
had your surgery. If the doctor recommends chemotherapy then
the radiation will follow afterwards. The radiation is done
at a specific center and on an out patient basis. It will be
for five days a week and run around five to six weeks consecutively.
The treatments themselves are painless and run around a half
hour in duration. They are computerized for pinpoint accuracy.
However, since this is a powerful means of targeting the cancer
cells the effect can be that near the end of the treatment
the patient may experience extra fatigue. The skin of the breast
can also begin to feel tender, a bit swollen and as if it has
had a sun burn. The nurses and technicians involved will be
able to give pertinent information on how to care for this
condition.
Because radiation treatment can have a stronger effect on
some individuals and can cause on occasion some serious side
problems - such as arm swelling, damage to the lung area, or
affect the appearance or consistency of breast tissue - it
is important to assess and weigh this option as a treatment.
If possible, it is recommended that you schedule a visit with
the radiation oncologist to determine if an adjusted form or
more focused form of treatment is available to limit the risks.
As with any decision regarding medical treatments it is worthwhile
to take the time to discuss with others the outcomes of their
circumstances and to gather as much information on the subject
as possible. This, at times, is not an easy thing to do, especially
when faced with the seriousness of this issue and naturally
the fatigue you are dealing with. However, it will allow you
to make the best decision possible and will no doubt add to
your confidence in a positive outcome.
# # # # #
by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2008
> Home > Cancer Articles
: Main Page
|
