Can Radiotherapy Result in Second Cancers After Treatment?

Radiation is a potient tool for killing Leukemia Cells. But radiation can also cause mutations in normal cells that may lead to development of second cancers later in life. It has been seen that young girls who were treated using radiation to the chest and neck for Hodgkin's Lymphoma had a higher chance of breast or lung cancer, compared with individuals who don't get treated with radiation. This has caused alot of concern among young patients and some doctors as well.
     The truth is that the risk of developing second cancers,  though increased, is still actually very small. The risk is somewhat higher in younger patients, but the bebefit to be gained by radiation therapy usually far outweighs the risks. In order to be carefull, radiaation therapy is often avoided in younger patients.if it is determined they can be treated equally as well with other forms of treatment. Oncologists are now well informed regarding risks of treatment, and can guide patients regarding their individual risks.The small chance of developing cancers in the future should not discourage an individual to refuse treatment that is essential for the present.