Radiotherapy: Treatment, Side Effects & Benefits
What is radiotherapy/radiation therapy used for?
Radiotherapy (also called radiation therapy) is the use of targeted radiation, such as x-rays, to destroy cancer cells or keep them from growing.
Radiotherapy may be given externally or internally.
Types of radiotherapy
- External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to irradiate the cancer.
- Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive source put inside the body for a short period of time. The source is placed directly into or near the cancer.
Radiotherapy side effects
- Fatigue
- Skin changes in the treatment area (redness or skin peeling)
- Swelling of the breast
“This is a photo of my third active stage of treatment – radiotherapy. My treatment plan was tailored to my specific type of breast cancer, such precision medicine wouldn’t be possible without research.”
Sarah, diagnosed 2021