Nearly two-thirds of cancer patients will receive radiation treatment at some point during their illness. But some patients actually deny treatment because of what they have heard about potential side effects. Marcie Fraser reports.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

Radiation destroys cancer cells. This is Maryann Austin's second round of radiation treatment. Her first was ten years ago, both to treat breast cancer. Aside from slight skin irritation, she has had no side effects. Some people fear getting burned.

“It's all depends on what is being treated. If we are treating someone with skin cancer, that is in an area that is not good for removal. That person going to get skin reaction to the target is skin itself. They are going to get redness like a bad sunburn," said Dr. Tia Olds, radiation oncologist.

Doctors take precise measurements to be sure to spare as much healthy tissue as possible.

"Every organ in the body has a specific tolerance for radiation therapy so that is something we spend a great amount of time knowing and take into consideration in the treatment. Our goal to kill the cancer and spare the tissue," said Dr. Olds.

Losing weight can change the location of the targeted area.

"If you have someone losing weight during the treatment you have to make adjustments based on that weight loss because if they are actually decreasing in size, the tumor location may also be changing," said Dr. Olds.

As long as a person stays in good health, they can continue to receive treatment.

"If you are treating someone with lung cancer and have poor lung function or difficulty breathing and on oxygen, a lot of consideration has to be given to the treatment they can endure," said Dr. Olds.

A concern for men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer is that they are radioactive. According to the doctors, their concern can be real.

"There are some specific types of radiation therapy that are specialized, that you are going to admit a small, low dose of radiation therapy, depending on the treatment but those are specialized. And of course, you will be notified of that in the very beginning,” said Dr. Olds.

Men with prostate seed implants need to take precautions as to how close and how long they are in contact with pregnant women and children.