The only thing that any one wants is to live a happy and healthy life. When someone is

diagnosed with cancer, it can become a long, strenuous process of a lot of doctor’s appointments,

chemotherapy treatments and possibly even radiation therapy. When one is undergoing these

procedures, their only wish is to be free of cancer. However, as they are undergoing this

regiment, of sometimes horrific treatments to rid their body of harm, they must also endure the

side effects that can be caused by having that very radiation that is supposed to help them.

If there is ever a way to help rid those side effects so that cancer patients can just simply

recover without having to feel as though they are getting worse instead of improving, it should

be done. Having radiation treatments should be feelings of greatness, making the patient feel as

though they are fighting their cancer and beginning to feel better. Instead, depending on the

source of their cancer, they are fighting bouts of diarrhea, skin erythema, nausea, and possible

fatigue.

When patients are undergoing radiation therapy for prostate, cervical, bladder,

endometrial and other abdominal cancers, they could deal with a lot of side effects, one of the

major ones being severe bouts of diarrhea. There are scientists beginning to research ways to

help protect the intestinal tract from being effected by the radiation as the patient receives their

dose of radiation therapy. Scientists are beginning to realize that if a patient continues to receive

high doses of radiation to their abdomen, for the treatment of a certain kind of cancer, there is a

higher chance they might have to stop that treatment to let their intestines recover, since that is

the primary area being affected by these radiation treatments.

Therefore, scientists have begun working with mice to see what key components are

necessary to help protect the intestinal tract from radiation. They have been working with a

probiotic bacteria called Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), which seems to be helping to

protect the intestinal system of the mice as they undergo radiation treatments. They are finding

that if the mice take LGG before they begin receiving radiation therapy that their intestinal tract

is staying protected and are not having as severe bouts of diarrhea. However, if mice only begin

taking LGG after the initial dose of radiation they have noticed it is not protecting the lining of

the intestinal tract.

These scientists are also looking at other key components that help protect intestines.

They are working with prostaglandins and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), both of which help with

inflammation and protect the small intestine from apoptosis or programed cell death. They have

noted that the mice that are capable of naturally producing COX-2 and with the added dose of

LGG, the mice are being protected from the harsh radiation. However, if the mice are unable to

naturally make COX-2, and are then given a dose of LGG, the intestinal tract of the mice is no

longer being protected and is beginning to experience side effects from the radiation.

Therefore, the path has been cleared to begin testing LGG on humans and see if this

probiotic is able to make a difference for radiation patients so that they are able to continue to get

the radiation they need to kill the cancer without having horrific side effects. It is also noted, that

the mice did not have to receive a high dose of LGG to protect them and scientists believe

humans should not have to take any higher of a dose to have the intestinal tract protected. LGG

is similar to the probiotic found in yogurt, which makes this probiotic able to be found almost

anywhere.

I believe this article is very important to radiation biology because it focuses on the

human being and what the body must endure in order for them to receive lifesaving radiation

treatments. I think if there is any way scientists are able to make it easier for these patients to

receive the radiation without having horrible side effects, then they should be trying every idea

possible. The intestinal tract is only one cell layer thick and can be very sensitive to radiation. It

is regenerating itself often, which makes it more radiosensitive and has a higher chance of cells

dying while the cells are trying to divide because of the radiation. Since the intestinal tract

doesn’t have a lot of protection, any probiotics or vitamins that can help aide in protection,

should be necessary for patients to take so that they feel better after radiation treatments instead

of worse.

I feel as though this is a good article. I think when we’re dealing with radiation it is

constantly changing, which means we constantly have to be changing and figuring out what is

working and what isn’t working. This is a great article for cancer patients and even the general

population in order to make us all more aware of what is out there to help protect our bodies.

Most people don’t realize that a simple probiotic could help protect their intestinal lining when

they are having radiation treatments, which could allow for a lot less discomfort after treatment.

This article I think is both informational and educational all in one. It’s able to help patients that

are undergoing treatment and give them a positive outlook, and show them that scientists are

looking into ways to help them. As well as teaching the public about what is involved in

radiation treatments and how much people may suffer. I agree with this article and the ability to

possibly start helping radiation therapy patients, whatever can be done while people are going

through some of the worse times in their life, should be done to make them feel better.

Luckily with all the advances these days, radiation therapy patients have a much higher

chance of survival, which is great. Now the focus needs to be on patient’s bodies and how we’re

able to make it easier on them to receive radiation without all the extra worries that come after

the radiation therapy. As studies continue to grow and change accordingly, I believe we’re

moving in the right direction, towards a healthier and happier way of treatment.

Bibliography

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/237876.php