If you have a modern flat panel (plamsa or LCD/LED) there is no radiation. If you have an older style TV with a CRT in it you won't be at risk because the 1" thick front glass has lead in it. The x-xays are generated in the high voltage power supplies. The gov. has had radiation leakage from monitors and TV's tightly regulated for many years. Ionizing radiation typically doesn't cause SCC, more than likely it would be adenocarcinoma, if it did cause cancer. There is no radiation "pill" but their is a form of radiation called brachytherapy which uses radioactive seeds implanted directly into the tumor. There is another form of radiation therapy called PBT or Proton Beam Therapy. If you are located in So Cal., Loma Kinda offers it. It is the most advanced treatment available, has perfromed well for head & neck and causes zero tissue damage.
See:
http://www.llu.edu/central/info/legacy/chapter5.pageTo be sure radiation therapy can cause cancer and also some collateral damage, but without it I wouldn't be writing this to you now, 8 years after the fact.
Chemo is simplay an adjunct to the radiation and will not cure H&N cancer by itself. So surgery and/or radiation are the only chances of a cure at this point in time.
Stage IV is not an automatic death sentence, we have a fair amount of advanced stage survivors here. Conversely we have seen early stage patients die so there are no guarantees.
The purpose of IHSS is to provide services that a person can't do for themsleves such as shopping, laundry, light housekeeping, rides to the doctor, etc. They are not technically caregivers. Family members may be reimbursed at an hourly rate, not to exceed ??? for being that person. So you or your spouse, or any family member or close friend can perform that function.
