Cancer
Care at The Enoch Callaway Cancer Center at West Georgia
Health System
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Frequently
Asked Questions
Will my treatment be painful?
Radiation treatments are painless, much like getting
an X-ray. However, there may be pain associated
with your treatment, for example, if you have back pain
or chest pain when you lie down. You may also experience
pain from the side effects of the treatment: for example,
a bad skin reaction may feel like sunburn, or you may
experience a bad sore throat if the esophagus is included
in the treatment area. The nurse and the physician
will help you manage any pain you have during your treatment.
Will radiation therapy make me sick?
Most patients will not get naseauted from radiation
treatment unless the area being treated includes the
stomach.
Will I lose my hair?
You will only lose
the hair on your head if your head is being treated. However, you will lose any hair
in the area that is being treated. For instance,
if your leg is being treated, the hair in that area will
fall out. Even if there is hair loss in the area
of treatment, it is not permanent.
Can I drive myself to my treatment?
If
you are able to drive before you begin radiation treatments,
you may be able to drive while you are under treatment. There are only a few circumstances when
we would limit your driving. If you are on pain medication
that alters your reaction time or dulls your senses or
if you are under treatment for a brain tumor, you will
be asked not to drive your vehicle to treatment.
Do I need to restrict my daily activities?
It
is recommended that you continue any or all daily activities
that you feel like you are able to do. Many
people continue to work full time while under treatment. Get
plenty of rest and maintain a healthy diet.
Will I become radioactive?
External
beam radiation does not cause you to become radioactive. The
radiation is created by the treatment machine while you
are in the room and does not leave the treatment room. There
are no radiation precautions you must take while under
treatment. However, if you have radioactive implants,
there are some precautions that will be discussed with
you.
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