In the past, we've posted pictures of radiation burns from the early years of the 20th century here and on our Flickr site. The NY Times reports that a century later, this is still an ongoing problem:
Radiation Offers New Cures, and Ways to Do Harm
While new technology saves the lives of countless cancer patients, errors can lead to unspeakable pain and death.
1 comment:
My mother recently endured treatment for breast cancer (thus far, it is in remission) but they failed to notify her that radiation treatment would cause a large portion of skin on her breast to slough off. She discovered this distressing (and apparently well known) side effect in the shower. When she spoke with a nurse at her oncologists, it was explained "it's just like a bad sunburn" ...
Sorry, but as someone who grew up near the shore and has lived her entire 67 years within 10 miles of the beach, she knows what a sunburn is like. This was more of the magnitude of being hit with 1/2 cup of simmering oil.
Medical personnel might be swamped, understaffed, or hurried - but how could you fail to warn someone of this escapes me.
Thanks for reposting this.
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