21st Century Understanding Cancer Toolkit: Radiation Therapy and Treatment, Side Effect Management, External, Internal, IMRT, Brachytherapy - Information for Patients, Families, Caregivers

Authoritative information, tips, and practical advice from the nation's cancer experts about radiation treatment, providing coverage of all aspects of this vital form of cancer therapy, with particular emphasis on the practical management of side effects. Starting with the basics, and advancing to detailed patient-oriented information, this comprehensive compilation gives empowered patients, families, and caregivers the information they need to understand radiation treatment, including external beam, internal, IMRT, and brachytherapy. Conveniently organized contents include: Radiation Therapy and You; Understanding Radiation Therapy - What To Know About Brachytherapy (A Type of Internal Radiation Therapy); What To Know About External Beam Radiation Therapy; Radiation Therapy for Cancer; Managing Radiation Therapy Side Effects; What To Do When Your Mouth or Throat Hurts; What To Do About Hair Loss (Alopecia); What To Do When You Have Loose Stools (Diarrhea); What To Do About Feeling Sick to Your Stomach and Throwing Up (Nausea and Vomiting); What Women Can Do About Changes in Sexuality and Fertility; What To Do About Changes When You Urinate; What To Do About Mild Skin Changes; What To Do When You Feel Weak or Tired (Fatigue); Follow-up Care After Cancer Treatment. An extensive supplement provides background data on cancer; information on how to find resources in your own community; questions and answers about cancer; cancer information sources; cancer in the environment - what you need to know and what you can do; and facing forward - life after cancer treatment. * The first of thirteen documents on radiation therapy states: Radiation Therapy and You is written for you — someone who is about to get or is now getting radiation therapy for cancer. People who are close to you may also find this guide helpful. This guide is a guide that you can refer to throughout radiation therapy. It has facts about radiation therapy and side effects and describes how you can care for yourself during and after treatment. This guide covers: Questions and Answers About Radiation Therapy. Answers to common questions, such as what radiation therapy is and how it affects cancer cells. External Beam and Internal Radiation. Information about the two types of radiation therapy. Your Feelings During Radiation Therapy. Information about feelings, such as depression and anxiety, and ways to cope with them. Side Effects and Ways To Manage Them. A chart that shows problems that may happen as a result of treatment and ways you can help manage them. Questions To Ask. Questions for you to think about and discuss with your doctor, nurse, and others involved in your treatment and care. Lists of Foods and Liquids. Foods and drinks you can have during radiation therapy. Words To Know. A dictionary that clearly explains medical terms used in this guide. * This is a privately authored news service and educational publication of Progressive Management. Our publications synthesize official government information with original material - they are not produced by the federal government.