Dear Editor:

This is a warning to anyone who has had treatment for cancer. While lifesavers, these treatments can have long-term consequences and probably no one will tell you beforehand.

Twenty years ago I had radiation treatments for tonsil cancer, not as serious as some other cancers, but fatal if untreated. I made a full recovery. I recovered from the illness but never recovered from the cure. Remember Paul Tsongas who ran against Bill Clinton? He also recovered, but died shortly after from kidney failure as a result of his treatments.

I don't think either of us, faced with a similar problem, would have refused treatment. Thank goodness it doesn't happen to everyone, but it can.

In my case, I had 20 symptom-free years, so it was worth it. But when I started having muscle spasms in my face and my voice started becoming hoarse, I would have gone for help. Had I known what was happening, I might not now be able to speak above a whisper and be dependent on a feeding tube for nourishment. I'm not complaining; I'm alive. Perhaps no one could have helped me, but I don't know that.

Every drug treatment lists the side effects; no one tells you the side effects of radiation. I did go to speech therapy and had Teflon injections to my vocal cords, but it was too late to be helpful. Only recently was it admitted that this problem exists. I cannot imagine anyone refusing cancer treatment because of potential side effects. It doesn't happen to everyone, but it can, and if it can be prevented, shouldn't it?

Frances Bredeau

Boothbay Harbor