I got an email from the radiation oncologist who first recommended this alternative treatment 10 years ago and he says he's still doing it. But the oil he uses is sesame, not olive. I am not sure why one is better than the other. This doctor says to swirl the oil around your mouth and then spit it out, don't swallow. However, he said if the throat is also being radiated then swallowing is okay. He says that many of his patients have no mouth sores or very few. So I'm trying this technique because my doctor says it can't hurt...so why the hell not? David R