BEFORE you schedule any radiation therapy appointments to treat your cancer, here are some very important questions you need to ask your doctor. These questions are meant to empower you to take control of your health and have a clear understanding of the cancer treatment being offered.
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What is the goal of the radiation for my cancer? Is this a cure or a short term solution?
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What will your proposed treatment do to my cancer stem cells?
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How will you support my immune system during treatment?
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How will you protect my heart, lungs, and/or other organs from the radiation?
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How will this treatment change the cancer environment: will it only kill some of the cancer cells and leave me vulnerable when the cancer stem cells go on to create more cancer?
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What is your opinion on taking antioxidants and other supplements during treatment?
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How will radiation affect my risk of distant relapse? It has a much higher rate of recurrence (30%) than the 10-15% of patients with Stage I or II. In light of the risk of the radiation creating more cancer, how will this radiation treatment benefit me?
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What lifestyle changes will I need to make to improve the outcome of the radiation treatment and protect my body during treatments?
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Will a planning CT (CAT scan) be required to determine the area to be treated? Will I require more than one of these scans which inherently subject me to even more radiation?
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Would you give this same treatment to your wife or children, and if not, what would you recommend for them? Would you do it yourself?