While many people know chemotherapy as a cancer treatment, there is another type of treatment: radiation therapy. It uses intense beams of energy to target tumors, destroying their genes. While some healthy tissue may be damaged, they are more easily repaired than cancer cells. As a radiation therapist, my mom helps patients fight cancer every day. Here are some questions I asked her:
Do you see a difference in the effects of radiation therapy versus chemotherapy on patients?
Yes, they are two different treatments.
What are some misconceptions about radiation therapy?
That patients are radioactive.
What is the hardest thing about being a radiation therapist?
It is hard to see young patients with cancer.
What is the most prevalent type of cancer you treat? Are there things people can do to avoid it?
Breast and prostate cancer. Eat healthier food and exercise.
How effective is radiation therapy? Does it usually target areas close to the cancer as well?
It depends on the type of cancer. It is very targeted to cancer cells.
Is it a competitive position/field?
Not exactly. Right now it is very hard to find quality candidates.