Radiation therapy is a common and often misunderstood form of cancer treatment.
In this episode of the UToledo Health podcast, “Prescribed Listening,” host Tessa Lackey talks with radiation oncologist Dr. Mersiha “Hadzi” Hadziahmetovi about how radiation therapy isn’t as scary as it seems and discusses how radiation is just high energy X-rays killing the tumor or cancer from the inside out.
Hadziahmetovi says that this treatment has been well studied.
“Radiation has actually one of the longest track records and established records of safety and efficacy in all of medicine,” she says.
Hadziahmetovi also gives an overview of what patients and family members can expect from radiation therapy. She explains what goes into the treatment of radiation therapy and the various indications for its use, and debunks myths related to radiation, clarifies potential side effects and provides practical advice on how patients can manage their treatment, including dietary considerations and the importance of physical activity.
Hadziahmetovi also offers advice for how friends and families can support patients going through radiation therapy and cancer treatment.
“Sometimes people just want to talk to somebody about all the conflicting feelings they’re experiencing,” she says. “They’re not necessarily asking for a solution. They just want you to lend an ear.
“I would recommend that you try to keep a positive outlook without sugarcoating or infantilizing the patient but providing reassurance; you know, reminding the patient they’re not alone and going through this cancer journey, you’re there to support them and support the little victories.”
Hadziahmetovi goes on to say that family and friends can be supportive physically by helping drive patients to appointments or doing chores around the house, or go with them to an appointment to help take notes.
Hadziahmetovi says that she and the other doctors, nurses and staff at the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center operate as a team.
“70% of patients with a cancer diagnosis will at some point meet with a radiation oncologist,” she says. “I always say cancer care or oncology is a team sport. So, you have a team of people, a team of doctors, team of nurses helping take care of you.”
To review this episode and the podcast’s entire library of episodes, go to the UToledo Health Prescribed Listening website.
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