External Beam Radiation |
External Beam Radiation is the most common type of radiotherapy. It is used for the treatment of all types of cancer. Some of the common ones treated include cancers of the breast, prostate, head and neck, brain, lung, cervix and rectum. The machine used to deliver External Beam Radiation Therapy, is a Varian Linear Accelerator. It has inbuilt advanced technology that delivers radiation treatment to very high accuracy and precision. It produces higher energy radiation that is more penetrating than Cobalt technology that is offered elsewhere on the island. This results in much higher radiation dose delivered to the cancer cells or tumour and with less skin damage than Cobalt. |
Fact: While fatigue is often common during radiation treatment, many patients can still maintain their normal daily schedule including work and school. As treatment nears the end, the fatigue may increase. That does not mean you have to give up your routine; just be sure to get the rest you need.
Myth: Radiation therapy will make me radioactive
Fact: If your treatment involves external radiation, you are not radioactive. The radiation is delivered in doses to treat the abnormal tissue and once the machine is turned off, the radiation does not linger within you. You can maintain a normal routine and go near or around anyone, including pregnant women and babies.