• download our Radiation Therapy booklet in English (1.0 MB) • You may also request a printed copy. Include your name, address, postal code and indicate you want the 'radiation therapy guide' in the Subject Line or Body of your message.

Radiation Therapy is provided at: • MacCharles Site » Map 675 McDermot Avenue

Cancer is the growth and spread of abnormal cells. Normally, the cells that make up all parts of the body reproduce in an orderly manner. Occasionally, cells grow into a mass of tissue called a tumor. A tumor is either benign or malignant (cancer).

Benign tumors may interfere with how the body works normally, but they seldom threaten a person's life. Malignant tumors, however, grow and replace normal tissue. As well, cells may break away from a malignant tumor and spread through the blood or lymphatic systems to other parts of the body. If this takes place, it is called metastasis or secondary cancer.

Radiation Therapy is the use of radiation (in this case, high energy x-rays) to treat the cancer cells in your body.

In order to reach the cancer cells some normal, healthy cells are treated too. Your healthy cells repair themselves better and more quickly than the cancer cells.

The Radiation Oncologist ensures that the amount of normal tissue that is treated is as small as possible. Also, it is important to know that radiation therapy treatments are NOT painful.