Why is it that Radiation is supposed to cause Cancer but the cure is Radition?

Question

I understand that even cell phones can give off enough radiation to give you a brain tumor and a tv can also radiate you if watched too close. I t does not make sense that radiation can cure cancer but this seems to be the standard cure for most cancers.Please explain the differences between getting cancer and curing cancer using the same medium.

Answer 1

Radiation kills cancerous cells. Unfortunately it also alters healthy cells which can cause cancer to form in the future.
If you have cancer and you know your only chance for survival in the short term is to have radiation treatments, most people will chose radiation even though it is known that it might cause another cancer to form in the future (or it might not). Most people will take the chance.
If people have a recurrence of cancer in the future they won't know if it was the original cancer that spread and grew again, or if it was caused by radiation.
The bottom line is that most people will chose to "buy time" by having radiation.
Cell phones have never been proven to produce brain tumors.

Answer 2

There is no conclusive evidence that cell phones or televisions trigger or cause brain tumors.

It is more likely a genetic defect in the DNA that permits the uncontrolled growth.

There is some indication that some pesticides may trigger brain tumors. See Dr Eugene Solomon's article from the Spring of 2002 in my sources.

Radiation together with various chemo agents are two of the tools in the arsenal to attack cancers. Neither are entirely benign. Radiation damages the most rapidly growing cells , both healthy and cancerous.

IMHO, it really depends upon the dosages and the fields that are irradiated.

Too much radiation can cause significant damage and could possibly trigger different cancers. Studies continue trying to determine the minimum doses that can reduce the risk of tumor recurrence.

The question comes up as to what supplements may reduce the collateral damage to healthy tissue without decreasing the eficacy of the radiation and what type of radiation is to be delivered.

There is some evidence that Lithium (A) Cancer Res. 2006 Dec 1;66(23):11179-86 , when given 7 days prior to starting, and magnesium (absorbed taking epson salt baths) and Omega 3 fatty fish oils did not reduce the efficacy, yet appear to protect the neurocognitive outcomes of brain irradiation.

To the best of my knowledge, there are at least four types of radiation treatments:
There are a number of options:
A) three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy;
B) stereotactic radiation therapy with arc photons;
C) intensity-modulated radiation therapy; and
D) proton beam radiation

Proton Beam is the newest and most advanced - it provides a very focused beam that permits higher doses to specific areas with less collateral damage.

Hope this helps

with kind and gentle regards


David Edge
Founder
Parental Support groups Pediatric Brain Tumors and PBT Angels
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Pediatricbraintumors/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/PBTAngels/
and father of a daughter diagnosed with brain cancer in 1998

Answer 3

Ionizing radiation is an effective way to treat certain kinds of cancer. During radiation therapy, high doses of ionizing radiation are directed at the cancer, resulting in the death of the cancer cells. However, this can lead to DNA mutations in cells that survive the radiation, which can eventually lead to the development of another cancer (called a second primary cancer).

An increase in second primary tumors in the area being irradiated has been observed in patients with several types of cancer following radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. Some studies have associated radiation therapy with an increased incidence of thyroid cancer and early-onset breast cancer. Overall, however, radiation alone does not appear to be a very potent cancer-causing agent in second tumors. This is probably due to the fact that it is often used in a localized area, which means fewer normal cells are exposed to radiation.

However, treatment for Hodgkin disease, a type of lymphoma, often delivers lower radiation doses to many areas of the body. These treated areas include large amounts of normal tissue. Patients with Hodgkin disease who are treated with radiation therapy are at an increased risk for developing second primary tumors.

When considering radiation exposure from radiation therapy treatment, the benefits generally outweigh the risks. However, some combinations of radiation therapy and chemotherapy are more risky than others. Additional research is needed in this area so that optimal treatment can be given that minimizes the risk of the development of secondary cancers.

Answer 4

Radiation shrinks tumors. But, after a long time, radiation can cause cancer. So, you can get rid of the cancer now, but you might be dealing with cancer from the radiation down the road. You pick your poison.

Answer 5

They focalize radiation to rid it.
Iv'e heard watching T.V. for mor than 48hr's a week causes diabetes. No exercise no glucose? Sitting around to much would weaken cell's and conflict with cellular respiration.

Answer 6

They are totally different types of radiation!