Can Radiotherapy Cause Cancer
The question if can radiotherapy cause cancer has been asked numerous times and it stems from the misconception that all types of radiation is harmful. While X-rays are also known as radiation rays, the light from the sun is also a form of radiation as is the heat from our bodies. In order to answer this question it is important to explain the various types of radiation and not all types can cause cancer. Unlike what many people may think radiation in the form of x-rays does not cause cancer, with the majority of radiation types not being reasons for cancer.
Can radiotherapy cause cancer if it goes wrong?
There is a wide spectrum of different high energy radiation as well as some low energy radiation which is often called the electromagnetic spectrum. This starts from the highest to the lowest source of energy. Some main types of radiation are:
- Visible light
- X-rays
- Gamma rays
- Ultraviolet (UV) rays
- Microwaves
- Infrared rays
- Extremely low-frequency (ELF) radiation
- Radiofrequency (radio) waves
The factor that really makes a difference in terms of if it will cause cancer is if the energy is in fact ionizing or if it’s non-ionizing.
Ionizing radiation can cause cancer
Radiation which is high ionizing or high frequency radiation has lots of energy which can remove one electron from a molecule or even an atom this allows for it to easily damage human and animal DNA cells which can then lead to cancer. Some high energy UV rays, sub-atomic particles, x-rays and gamma rays are forms of ionizing radiation.
Non-Ionizing forms of radiation
These are low frequency forms of radiation and are not energetic enough to be damage DNA or remove an electron. Examples of this form of radiation is visible light, UV rays, microwaves, infrared rays etc. in addition apart from just UV rays these forms of radiation do not increase the risk of cancer regardless of the amount and duration of exposure.
What types of cancer can be caused by Ionizing radiation?
Both your bone marrow and your thyroid gland are very sensitive to this type of radiation. This is why Leukemia which is also a form of cancer can arise if the bone marrow has been infected with cancer cells. The signs of Leukemia can appear as early as probably a year after being exposed to this form of radiation.
In addition there may also be other types of cancer which can result from radiation exposure but they might take slightly longer to fully develop i.e. 10 to 15 years. Studies have concluded that the following types of cancer are caused by ionizing radiation:
- Pulmonary cancer
- Skin cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Thyroid cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Breast cancer
But these are by no means the only forms of cancer which ionizing radiation can cause. However, age and a person’s sensitivity to radiation is another factor which dictates which types of cancer it may cause. Sometimes the cancer my just be genetic.