Radioactive Giving off radiation. The patient is given an injection or swallows a small amount of radioactive material. A machine called a scanner then measures the radioactivity in certain organs or in bones. Remission Disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer. When this happens, the disease is said to be in remission.
Remission can be temporary or permanent.
Risk factor Something that increases a person's chance of developing a disease. Screening Checking for disease when there are no symptom Side effects Problems that occur when treatment affects healthy cells. Common side effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and mouth sores. The doctor may collect samples of tissue or cells for closer examination. Also called proctosigmoidoscopy.