Moving to a new town comes with a lot of tasks to get done. Not only do you have to get all of your belongings moved, but you have to make changes to your medical care facilities. So, when you get to your new home town, do you know what health care clinics you can rely on for the care of your family? Will you couple your family's healthcare with both a clinic and a PCP? This blog will give you several suggestions about how to manage the changes in your family's healthcare adaptations to ensure you receive the best possible care in your new home town.
If you've recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, there is a good chance your doctor will recommend radiation treatments at some point. Each case of cancer is different, so your treatment plan will be unique to you when it comes to the timing of the treatments and the type of radiation you receive. Here is a quick look at when radiation treatments are usually started and the two options available.
Surgery And Chemotherapy Are Usually First
The first step in treating breast cancer is usually surgery to remove the tumor. Next comes treatments that kill off cancer cells that remain after the surgery so the cancer won't come back. It's common to receive both chemotherapy and radiation treatments for breast cancer. Chemotherapy is typically given first. Therefore, it will probably be weeks or a few months before radiation treatments begin once you are diagnosed. If you don't receive chemotherapy, radiation treatments are held until your tissues have recovered from surgery, which takes a few weeks. If you do have chemotherapy, there will probably be a few weeks delay before you begin radiation treatments after your last dose of chemotherapy so your body has time to repair and rest.
External Beam Radiation Is One Option For Treatment
Your doctor may recommend you have external beam radiation treatments. These are given in a specialized radiation or cancer clinic. The radiation is delivered by a big machine to your breast area, and possibly under your arm. The tiny radiation beam is able to pinpoint exact areas on your body to treat. The goal is to cover as much of your breast area as possible to kill hiding cancer cells. Once that's completed, your doctor may follow up with a radiation boost to the exact spot where your tumor was removed. You might receive treatments every weekday for a few weeks. The schedule depends on the number of treatments you need, the dosage of radiation used, and the stage of your cancer.
Internal Radiation May Be Offered
Internal radiation is another option for your doctor to consider. If your situation is a good match for it, the radiation is delivered to a precise spot inside your body. This is done by inserting tubes into your breast area and then having radioactive pellets inserted for a short period of time during your treatment. Internal radiation still requires you to visit a clinic for the treatments. The tubes can be inserted during your tumor removal surgery, and they are left in place for the duration of your treatment. The tubes are then removed after your last dose of radiation.
It is frightening to get a breast cancer diagnosis because you don't know what to expect if you haven't been through cancer treatment before. Radiation treatments may sound painful and scary, and while they often have side effects, such as skin soreness, your doctor can help you manage your discomfort. Radiation is an important treatment for breast cancer because it is so effective at killing cancer cells that grow and divide quickly. Whether you have external or internal radiation treatments, they could play a big role in keeping your cancer from coming back.
Share2 February 2017
