Radiation FAQ

Radiation Therapy

Radiation is a type of energy that travels through the air as waves. Radiation therapy uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.

If you are offered radiation treatment you will:

Meet with a Radiation Oncologist and be asked to sign a treatment consent form
Be booked for a "Radiation Planning" visit with a Radiation Therapist. At this visit you will have a CT scan which is used to design your treatment plan
Be give between 1 and 40 treatments depending on your plan. They are booked daily from Monday to Friday
Have a schedule printed for you on your first treatment day with all of your visits, dates and times

Radiation Facts

Radiation does not hurt, it's like getting an X-Ray
Radiation will treat a specific area of your body. Cells nearby may also be affected by the radiation. You will only have side effects in the area that is treatment
You will not be radioactive afterwards; you can have normal contact with friends and family
Treatments are short, and often take less than 20 minutes
You will get to meet with your Radiation Oncologist or Oncology Nurse once a week during your treatment

Radiation Websites:

American Cancer Society - Radiation (opens in new window)

Acs Rads — Click the picture above to open the American Cancer Society handout on Radiation Therapy (opens in new window)

American Cancer Society - Radiation Therapy

Transcript for: American Cancer Society - Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses strong beams of energy to treat cancer and related problems. The radiation energy is focused like a beam of light from a flashlight. Instead of affecting the whole body radiation treats just the area where the beam of energy hits. Not everyone who has cancer will need radiation. Your doctor's decision to recommend radiation therapy depends on the type and stage of cancer and other health problems you might have. Sometimes other treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, hormones or targeted therapy may be given along with radiation. Other times radiation may be needed before or after other types of cancer treatment.

There are different types of radiation treatment. The most common is external beam radiation. This is a lot like getting an x-ray. A machine is used to aim the radiation beam right where the tumor is. Another type is called internal radiation or brachytherapy. It's given by putting a radioactive implant inside your body where it will give off radiation in or near the cancer.

The type of radiation you need depends on the kind of cancer you have and where it is. Sometimes more than one type is used before starting radiation. You and your treatment team will have a planning meeting to identify the exact area to be treated. Ask your cancer care team about the type of radiation you're getting and when treatment should start. Also ask what your treatment schedule will be, how long your treatment lasts, and how often you get treatment. It will depend on the type and stage of your cancer, the type of radiation you're getting and how your body responds to it. For example a patient might get radiation five times a week for several weeks. It usually takes just a few minutes each day once treatment has started. Radiation is usually given in an outpatient treatment center but sometimes it might require a hospital stay.

Ask what to expect during and after treatment and about any safety precautions you might need to follow to help protect yourself and the people around you. Depending on the type of radiation you get you may have to follow special steps at home after getting the treatment. Not everyone responds the same way to radiation. Side effects are different for each person some of the most common are extreme tiredness, skin changes, hair loss, mouth sores, or low blood counts. Ask what side effects to expect, how they can be managed and when you should call the doctor or nurse to learn more visit cancer.org treatment or call the American Cancer Society helpline at 800-227-2345 to speak with a cancer information specialist.

Common Questions About Radiation Therapy

How does radiation therapy work?

Radiation therapy is an effective treatment because it makes cancer cells unable to grow and repair themselves. It is a powerful treatment that affects only the part of the body being treated. It can also affect healthy cells that the radiation passes through, causing them to be damaged. This damage to healthy cells is usually temporary, but may cause side effects.

Does radiation treatment use radioactive substances?

The cancer centre uses equipment called linear accelerators to provide radiation therapy treatment. Similar to turning a light switch on and off, linear accelerators only give off radiation when they are turned on and are not radioactive when they are turned off. The cancer centre also offers specialized radiation treatment that uses radioactive substances. This is called high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy.

How is radiation therapy treatment given?

Radiation therapy is provided in a number of treatment sessions ranging from a single treatment up to 35 or more treatments. The treatment is usually given daily (Monday to Friday) in an appointment that ranges from 15 to 30 minutes in length.

Who receives radiation therapy?

At your consultation appointment, your care team will work with you to determine your best treatment plan. Radiation therapy may be offered as a treatment option.

Where do you receive radiation therapy?

You will receive your treatments in the radiation treatment suite on the third floor (main floor) of the cancer centre at GRH's KW Campus at 835 King Street West in Kitchener.

How long does radiation treatment last?

Most of your 15 to 30 minute appointment is spent positioning you for the radiation treatment. The actual time the radiation machine is on ranges from 30 seconds to a few minutes.

Can my family member come into the radiation treatment suite with me?

Family members may request to view the treatment room and machine during one of the scheduled appointments before your treatment. No one other than the patient and staff are allowed inside the treatment room.

Are there any side effects?

Radiation treatment destroys cancer cells, but can also affect normal healthy cells in the treatment area. Side effects are related to the area being treated. Some people have no, to very few side effects, while others have more. Once you and your care team have determined your treatment plan, the doctor, nurse and radiation therapist will review any potential side effects with you and give you advice on how to manage them.