Radiation

Therapy
Saja Naffa, Savanna Page, Radha Patel, Divya Pillay,
Nobo Rahman
What is Radiation?
Radiation is energy that travels
through space.

There are two types of radiation:

Ionizing and Non-ionizing.

1. Ionizing Radiation produced by unstable atoms,

produces sufficient energy to ionize atoms or molecules

2. Non-ionizing low-energy radiation that does not have

enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules
Radiation Usage
1.X-Ray Imaging

2.Nuclear Medicine

3.Smoke Detectors

4.Clean Air

5.Promoting Genetic Mutation

6.Carbon Dating

7.Sterilization/Irradiation

8.Measurement
What is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation Therapy is the use of high-
energy radiation such as X-rays or gamma
rays to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells

Different methods of delivery includes:

External-beam radiation

Internal Radiation Therapy

(BrachyTherapy)

Systemic Radiation Therapy

History of Radiation
Therapy
1903: First Use of Radiation to Treat Cancer

1900-1950s: Radiation Cures Some Patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma

1965: First Use of Radioactive Isotope for Treatment of Inoperable Liver Cancer

Early 1970s: Increased Use of Radioactive Seeds to Target Prostate and Other Cancers

1977: Many Women can Opt for Breast-Conserving Surgery

1975-1980: Radiation Established As Standard Treatment for Glioblastoma

1981: Chemotherapy plus Radiation Effective for Patients who cannot be treated surgically

Early 1990s: Shift to 3D Radiation Treatment Plans Increases Precision, Safety of Therapy
How Radiation Therapy
Works
- The radiation makes small breaks in the cell DNA which prevents
the cells from growing and dividing, often causing them to die.
Factors that Affect Costs of Radiation
Therapy
Type of treatment
Length of treatment
Location of treatment
Cost Abroad-China
Backed by rich private investors, proton therapy, a highly precise but
expensive form of radiation used to treat cancer, is booming in
China.

1.6 billion yuan ($240 million) is being invested in a proton center in

southeastern China.

The going rate for an average treatment at a proton center in

Shanghai, one of two operating today, is 278,000 yuan ($41,636)
Cost Abroad- India
With the utilization of basic equipments, and the
updated technologies, radiation therapy is
around Rs. 45,000 ($673.61)at private
hospitals and 20,000 ($299.38) at government
hospitals.

The cost of treatment is also dependent on the

number of scans required for a patient.
Cost Abroad- zimbabwe
Radiotherapy costs between $3000 and $4000 for an entire
course, while chemotherapy sessions cost between $100 and
$1000 per cycle

This depends on the stage which the cancer has reached

Cost Abroad-Australia
Private radiotherapy clinics deliver 40 percent of radiotherapy provided to
50,000 cancer patients in Australia each year and private health funds dont
cover the treatment.

Patients charged the Medicare schedule fee currently have their out of pocket
expenses capped at $440 a year but this cap will be removed under the
budget changes.

These patients will now have to spend $1,000 out of their pocket on out of
pocket expenses before qualifying for the safety net and getting back 80
percent of any out of pocket costs.
Insurance Coverage -
Private Providers
Estimated level of coverage around 50%-80%%

Related prescription drugs are typically purchased out-of-pocket or by

copay

Very little transparency among major insurance providers

Large cost variation among types of cancers

More strict about which radiation procedures are considered

experimental
Insurance Coverage -
Medicare
Provides highest level of coverage out of all
U.S. providers

Covers screenings, exams, doctors visits,

prescription drugs, hospital visits, and
preventative care

Elderly are 10 times more likely to get cancer

Medicare beneficiaries account for 54% of all

new cancer cases
Side Effects - Acute
Skin irritation or damage in areas exposed

Damage to salivary glands if neck area is treated

Hair loss when areas on the head is treated

Urinary problems when lower abdomen is treated

Fatigue (most common)

Nausea when abdomen or sometimes brain is being treated

Side Effects - Late
May or may not occur

Fibrosis

Damage to the bowels

Memory loss

Infertility

A second cancer (rarely)

Palliative Care
Treated the same way as any medical service

Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid will cover all
or part of it
References
https://www.drugwatch.com/2015/10/07/cost-of-cancer/

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/849474

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy/radiation-fact-sheet#q10

http://www.rtanswers.org/statistics/aboutradiationtherapy/

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602305/chinas-headlong-rush-into-an-ultra-expensive-cancer-therapy/?set=602313

http://www.healthandholidays.com/blog/what-is-the-cost-of-radiation-therapy-in-india/

http://allafrica.com/stories/201510090170.html

http://fortune.com/2016/01/08/cancer-deaths-hit-record-low/

http://www.who.int/ionizing_radiation/about/what_is_ir/en/

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/cancer-patients-face-12000-treatment-bills-after-budget-cuts-to-
medicare/news-story/766aade32c16a80a37f50703c9cf67c8