Radiation therapy can you be around children

Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for some types of cancer. It may be used to cure a cancer or shrink tumors, stop cancer from coming back, or treat symptoms of cancer that has spread. If you have questions after reading this article, talk to the cancer care team. You can also call our Cancer Helpline at Radiation therapy uses high-energy waves to destroy or damage cancer cells. These waves may be x-rays, gamma rays, electron beams, or protons.

Radiation works by breaking the DNA in cancer cells which helps keep them from growing and can cause them to die. Most of the time, radiation is aimed at only the area that has cancer. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.

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Uterine Cancer Stages and Symptoms. How a Meningioma Is Treated. How Is Radiation Sickness Treated? Pilocytic Astrocytoma: Causes and Risk Factors. Parents may wonder whether they can touch, hug, and care for their child during and after therapy.

Radiation can damage healthy cells. This damage can cause side effects such as skin problems, tiredness, and anemia. The type of side effects someone might get depends on the dose of radiation, whether it was internal or external, and the area treated.

It may help to take a tour of the radiation department to see the radiation technologists and equipment so your child can get familiar with them. When your child asks questions about cancer or treatment, be honest. Use age-appropriate terms and encourage your child to share his or her feelings. And you don't have to go it alone. The doctors, nurses, social workers, and other members of the cancer treatment team are there to help you and your child.

Many resources are available to help your family get through this difficult time. Reviewed by: Eric S. Sandler, MD.

Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. Be sure to ask your team if you have any particular concerns or are unsure.

The body clears itself of the medications through body fluids such as urine or stool, so this means avoiding contact with these body fluids. If you are cleaning up the body fluids of a chemotherapy patient, wear gloves and wash your hands afterward, she advises. Kissing and more intimate physical contact is perfectly fine.

Male chemo patients, however, should use a condom for the first 48 hours after a chemo treatment, she notes. Our cancer care nurse explains what you need to know. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter.