By: Gina Leach

Radiation therapy uses targeted energy to destroy cancer cells, Shrink Tumors, or alleviate certain cancer-related symptoms, its may be used: *used as a primary source to destroy cancer cells. *Stops the growth of cancer cells. *before another treatment to shrink cancer cells. *after another treatment to stop the growth of remaining cancer cells. *to relieve symptoms of advanced cancer.

How does it work? radiation therapy is usually a local treatment. It’s aimed at and affects only the part of the body being treated. The goal of radiation treatment is to damage as many cancer cells as possible, with little harm to nearby healthy tissue Some treatments involve radioactive substances that are given in a vein or by mouth. In that case, the radiation does travel throughout the body. But for the most part, the radioactive substance collects in the area of the tumor, so there’s little effect on the rest of the body

Who discovered radiation: Wilhelm Rontgen discovered radiation. He exposed potassium uranyl sulfate to sunlight and then placed it on photographic plates wrapped in black paper, believing that the uranium absorbed the sun’s energy and then emitted it as x-rays. This hypothesis was disproved on the 26 th -27 th of February, when his experiment "failed" because it was overcast in Paris. For some reason, Becquerel decided to develop his photographic plates anyway. To his surprise, the images were strong and clear, proving that the uranium emitted radiation without an external source of energy such as the sun. Becquerel had discovered radioactivity.

Side effects of Radiation Therapy Skin Problems (dryness, Itching, blistering, or peeling) Fatigue: tiredness or always exhausted.

The good & The bad. Pros: Cons: It kills cancer cells and helps you stay alive Shrink tumors after surgery. It can improve quality of life in the process. Dry skin Itchy skin Fatigue Blistering or peeling

Sources therapy/?source=GOOGLPPC&channel=paid%20search&c=paid%20search:Google:Top% 20Terms:{campaignName}:radiation+therapy:Exact&OVMTC=Exact&site=&creative= &OVKEY=radiation%20therapy&url_id= &adpos=1t2&device=c&gclid= CLHgwIXmmb0CFRFnOgodIV therapy/side-effects-radiation-therapy therapy/side-effects-radiation-therapy nderstandingradiationtherapyaguideforpatientsandfamilies/understanding-radiation- therapy-how-does-radiation-therapy-work nderstandingradiationtherapyaguideforpatientsandfamilies/understanding-radiation- therapy-how-does-radiation-therapy-work