Cancer is a devastating and deadly disease claiming 7.6 million lives around the world each year and finding 12.7 million new victims diagnosed with the disease. The three words no one ever wants to hear in their lifetime are, “You have cancer.” It’s tragic enough when an older adult discovers they have cancer and will have to fight an uphill battle for their lives, but when a child with so many years ahead of them is diagnosed with cancer, it’s all the more devastating. Some children diagnosed with cancer are too young to even fully understand the disease, only knowing that it will involve pain and discomfort.
One of the most common forms of treatment, particularly in combination with other treatments, is radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is primarily used to treat localized cancers concentrated in a single area of the body. High-energy rays aimed from a machine target and destroy cancer cells while sparing as many healthy cells as possible.
The procedure can be frightening for anyone receiving the treatment due to the claustrophobic effect of the radiation machine and the need to remain absolutely still. It can be especially traumatic for children which is why many under the age of 15 receive anesthesia for their treatments. Researchers from the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology may have discovered an effective alternative in the form of videos.
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