Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Cavilon for radiotherapy

Technical post of no relevance to anyone not preparing for radiotherapy or with deep concern for Jan. Skip if not relevant. It is NOT for the squeamish.

The NHS recommend that Jan uses a moisturising cream during radiotherapy. Maybe as part of God's provision we came across this product by 3M which claims slightly better results. It provides a protective barrier to the skin whilst undergoing radiotherapy.

I attach a link to an Australian trial in PDF format. The photos of skin reactions to radiotherapy are nasty, and show that radiotherapy is not the same as listening to the radio for an hour a day, even Terry Wogan! I have not researched in detail but remember reading these side effects can occur in 25% or so of cases. Yuk! I personally reckon radiotherapy is the con trick of the century for people of Jan's age and risk. Jan trusts them! Remember we are trying to "radio" or more accurately irradiate cancer cells to death, so it is not nice.

Cavilon product link

Cavilon trial including photos showing the potential horrible side effects to the skin here: link

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