Busting 10 Common Myths About Radiotherapy
Know about the busting myths on radiotherapy, treatment experience, popular and busting myths on radiotherapy and more.
Written by Dr. Siri Nallapu
Reviewed by Dr. Dhankecha Mayank Dineshbhai MBBS
Last updated on 10th Sep, 2025
Introduction
The word "radiation" often conjures up images of danger and mystery, leading to widespread anxiety for anyone facing a radiotherapy prescription. Radiotherapy is a highly sophisticated, precise, and effective treatment for cancer, yet myths about radiotherapy persist, creating unnecessary stress for patients and their families. This article aims to separate fact from fiction, demystifying the process and alleviating fears. We will debunk the top ten myths about radiotherapy, providing you with clear, evidence-based information to empower your healthcare journey and help you approach treatment with confidence and clarity.
Radiotherapy is Painful and Burns You
The Reality of Treatment Sensations
The most pervasive of all myths about radiotherapy is that the treatment itself is painful. The truth is that the actual process of receiving external beam radiation is utterly painless, much like getting an X-ray. You will not feel heat, see light, or hear anything out of the ordinary during the few minutes the machine is on. The discomfort associated with radiotherapy typically arises from the side effects that develop over the course of treatment, not the procedure itself.
Managing Skin Reactions Effectively
A common side effect is skin irritation in the treated area, which can resemble a sunburn, ranging from redness and dryness to peeling or moistness. However, calling it a "burn" is misleading. Modern techniques precisely target the tumour, sparing as much healthy skin as possible. Your radiation team will provide detailed skin care during radiation protocol, including recommended moisturisers and protective practices, to manage this reaction effectively. Severe skin damage is now very rare.
Consult an Oncologist for Personalised Advice
You Become Radioactive After Treatment
Understanding External Beam Radiation
This is a crucial point of reassurance. With standard external beam radiation, the patient does not become radioactive. The radiation beams pass through the body and do not remain in you. Once the session is over, there is no radiation in your body, and it is perfectly safe to be around other people, including children and pregnant women. You cannot emit radiation or pose any risk to your loved ones.
The Exception: Temporary Precautions with Internal Radiation
The exception is a different type of treatment called internal radiation or brachytherapy, where a radioactive source is temporarily placed inside the body. In these specific cases, radiation safety precautions are necessary for a short period. Your medical team will provide explicit instructions, which may include limiting close contact. However, for the vast majority of patients receiving radiotherapy, this myth is completely false.
Radiotherapy Always Causes Severe Hair Loss
How Targeted Radiation Works
This myth causes significant dread, but the reality is that radiotherapy only causes hair loss in the specific area being treated. If you are receiving radiation to your pelvis for prostate cancer, you will not lose the hair on your head. If you are receiving treatment for breast cancer, you will not lose your pubic hair. The high-energy beams are exquisitely focused on the tumour site.
When Hair Loss Might Occur
Hair loss (alopecia) only occurs if the treatment area includes hair-growing skin, such as the scalp, for a brain tumour. Even then, the loss is usually temporary for most radiation doses, and hair often grows back after treatment ends, though sometimes the texture or colour may change.
Radiotherapy Means My Cancer is Terminal
Curative vs. Palliative Intent
This is perhaps the most damaging myth. Radiotherapy is not a sign of a hopeless situation; its intent is defined by the goal of treatment.
Curative Radiotherapy:
Radiotherapy is often used with curative intent. For many cancers—like prostate, head and neck, cervical, and early-stage lung cancer radiotherapy is a primary and highly effective treatment aimed at eliminating the cancer. It can be used alone or in combination with surgery and chemotherapy.
Palliative Radiotherapy:
In cases of advanced cancer, radiotherapy is used palliatively. This means it is not aimed at a cure but at relieving symptoms. For example, it can shrink a tumour causing pain, pressure, or bleeding, significantly improving a patient's quality of life. This application is about control and comfort, not surrender.
It's a "Last Resort" Treatment
Radiotherapy as a First-Line Option
Oncologists decide on a treatment plan based on what is most effective for the specific type and stage of cancer. For numerous cancers, radiotherapy is the first and best option. It can be used neoadjuvantly (before surgery to shrink a tumour) or adjuvantly (after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells). It is a cornerstone of modern oncology, not a last-ditch effort. Believing this myth might lead patients to delay a potentially curative treatment. If your radiation oncologist recommends it, it’s because it is a key part of the best strategy to fight your cancer.
The Radiation Will Cause Another Cancer
Weighing the Risks and Benefits
There is a very small long-term risk that radiation could cause a second cancer many years later. However, this risk is significantly outweighed by the substantial and immediate benefit of treating the current, life-threatening cancer. Modern technology has minimised this risk even further by using tighter beams and lower doses to surrounding healthy tissues. The goal is always to cure the present cancer, and for most patients, the potential benefit of survival far exceeds the minimal future risk.
You Can't Be Around Family, Especially Children
As debunked in Myth #2, this is false for external beam radiotherapy. You can and should maintain your social connections and support system. Hugging your children, sleeping next to your partner, and going about your daily life is not only safe but encouraged for your mental and emotional well-being during treatment.
Alternative Therapies Are Safer and Just as Effective
While complementary therapies like acupuncture, meditation, or yoga can be wonderful for managing side effects and improving well-being, they are not substitutes for evidence-based cancer treatments like radiotherapy. There is no scientific evidence that any alternative therapy can cure cancer. Relying solely on them instead of proven medical treatments can have devastating consequences. Always discuss any complementary therapies with your oncology team to ensure they are safe and won't interfere with your primary treatment.
Radiotherapy Makes You Very Sick and Tired
The Truth About Radiotherapy Fatigue
While fatigue is a very common side effect, the severe nausea associated with chemotherapy is less common with radiotherapy. Nausea typically only occurs if the treatment area is near the stomach or abdomen. The feeling of tiredness, or fatigue, usually builds up gradually over the course of treatment. It is manageable through light exercise (like short walks), proper rest, and good nutrition. Your team can provide strategies to help you cope with this fatigue effectively.
All Radiotherapy Treatments Are the Same
Technological Advances in Precision Radiation
This couldn't be further from the truth. Radiotherapy has undergone a revolution in precision. Techniques like IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy), IGRT (Image-Guided Radiation Therapy), and proton therapy allow radiation oncologists to sculpt dose distributions that conform tightly to the shape of the tumour, avoiding critical nearby organs. This precision maximises the dose to the cancer while minimising side effects, making treatment safer and more effective than ever before.
Conclusion
Understanding the facts is your first powerful step toward overcoming the fear of cancer treatment. The myths about radiotherapy are often rooted in the past and do not reflect the advanced, patient-centred care available today. Radiotherapy is a potent, precise, and proven weapon in the fight against cancer. If you have been prescribed radiotherapy and have lingering concerns, the best course of action is to have an open conversation with your radiation oncologist. They can address your specific questions and provide the reassurance you need to move forward.
Consult an Oncologist for Personalised Advice
Consult an Oncologist for Personalised Advice
Dr. Rupam Manna
Radiation Specialist Oncologist
4 Years • MBBS MD(RADIO THERAPY)
Barasat
Diab-Eat-Ease, Barasat
Dr Sunita Samleti
Oncologist
18 Years • M.D. (Pathology)- TN Medical College, Mumbai University, Mumbai, Mar 2005 M.B.B.S. Grant Medical College, Mumbai University, Mumbai, Oct 1999
Chinagadila
Apollo Hospitals Health City Unit, Chinagadila
Dr.sanchayan Mandal
Oncologist
17 Years • MBBS, DrNB( MEDICAL ONCOLOGY), DNB (RADIOTHERAPY),ECMO. PDCR. ASCO
Kolkata
Dr. Sanchayan Mandal Oncology Clinic, Kolkata
Dr Gowshikk Rajkumar
Oncologist
10 Years • MBBS, DMRT, DNB in Radiation oncology
Bengaluru
Apollo Clinic, JP nagar, Bengaluru
Dr. B Shravanthi Reddy
Radiation Specialist Oncologist
8 Years • MBBS, DNB(Radiation Oncology)
Manikonda Jagir
Apollo Clinic, Manikonda, Manikonda Jagir
Consult an Oncologist for Personalised Advice
Dr. Rupam Manna
Radiation Specialist Oncologist
4 Years • MBBS MD(RADIO THERAPY)
Barasat
Diab-Eat-Ease, Barasat
Dr Sunita Samleti
Oncologist
18 Years • M.D. (Pathology)- TN Medical College, Mumbai University, Mumbai, Mar 2005 M.B.B.S. Grant Medical College, Mumbai University, Mumbai, Oct 1999
Chinagadila
Apollo Hospitals Health City Unit, Chinagadila
Dr.sanchayan Mandal
Oncologist
17 Years • MBBS, DrNB( MEDICAL ONCOLOGY), DNB (RADIOTHERAPY),ECMO. PDCR. ASCO
Kolkata
Dr. Sanchayan Mandal Oncology Clinic, Kolkata
Dr Gowshikk Rajkumar
Oncologist
10 Years • MBBS, DMRT, DNB in Radiation oncology
Bengaluru
Apollo Clinic, JP nagar, Bengaluru
Dr. B Shravanthi Reddy
Radiation Specialist Oncologist
8 Years • MBBS, DNB(Radiation Oncology)
Manikonda Jagir
Apollo Clinic, Manikonda, Manikonda Jagir
More articles from Cancer
_0.webp)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does a typical radiotherapy session last?
The actual beam-on time is usually only a few minutes. However, your entire appointment may take 15-30 minutes to allow for precise positioning on the table.
2. Will I be alone in the room during treatment?
Yes, you will be in the room alone, but the therapists will be watching you closely via cameras and an audio intercom. You can speak to them at any time.
3. Can I work during radiotherapy?
Many people continue to work, often full-time, especially if they manage fatigue well. Others reduce their hours. It depends on your individual reaction to treatment and the nature of your job.
4. What should I eat during radiation treatment?
Good nutrition is vital. A diet high in protein and calories can help your body repair itself. A dietitian at your cancer centre can provide personalised advice, especially if you are receiving treatment that affects your ability to eat or digest.
5. How soon after radiotherapy do side effects start?
Side effects usually appear after a few weeks of treatment and may continue for a short period after treatment ends before gradually improving. Your care team will prepare you for what to expect based on your treatment plan.