Radiation Oncology

Radiation therapy kills the cancer cells in the area being treated. The radiation damages the DNA (genetic code) of cancer cells which makes them unable to grow or divide.

Although normal cells receive radiation as well, they are usually more resistant than cancer cells to damage. The amount of normal cells receiving radiation is also minimised with careful planning and modern equipment.

The process is as follows and we encourage family to attend with you.

Initial consultation

• Fill out registration forms
• Appointment to see a radiation oncologist

Planning (simulation) appointment

• Meet with radiation therapist and radiation oncologist
• Decide on positioning for treatment and finalise how many treatment sessions you will have

It may involve:

• Making equipment to aid positioning
• CT Scan or x-ray
• Drawing marks on your skin
• Taking measurements and photos of your position

First treatment appointment

• Meet with radiation therapist
• Lie in same position as at planning appointment
• Radiation treatment delivered
• Meet with nurses after treatment to discuss side effects

Daily treatment appointment

• Radiation treatment delivered by radiation therapists
• Weekly review with radiation oncologist and nurse

Follow-up appointment

• At a specified time after treatment has finished
• Appointment with your radiation oncologist

You should arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment to allow for signing in procedures and to change into a gown if necessary. Feel free to bring your partner, carer or family member along for support as radiation therapy can be a difficult time for some people.

Your radiation oncologist and or radiation therapist will advise you of any particular requirements that pertain to your treatment schedule.

Most likely yes. If there is a particular requirement for you to not eat before treatment, you will be advised prior.

Radiation therapy can prove quite taxing for some patients, we have a quiet room for those wishing to rest afterward or between examinations and treatments.

No, you won't feel anything. You will just hear a buzzing noise when the machine is turned on.

No. Radiotherapy uses x-rays which pass through the body and does not make you radioactive. It is completely safe to be in contact with others immediately after your treatment, including pregnant women and babies.

Hair will only be lost if it is in the treatment area and it depends on the amount of radiation that is being given. Please speak to your radiation oncologist or oncology nurse for information.

Many people continue to work during treatment. This is your choice, however if you are not feeling up to it you may wish to consider taking some time off.

Yes, most people will continue to drive during their treatment. If you are not feeling up to it or are very tired you may wish to have a break from driving or drive less.

In some cases, such as neurological conditions, seizures or brain surgery, the Australian Transport Council states you are not legally allowed to drive for a period of six months. If you are not sure if you are fit to drive please discuss this with your radiation oncologist.

Radiation therapy is often given in conjunction with chemotherapy or surgery. Approximately half of all people with cancer are treated with radiation therapy. Radiation oncologists can give patients advice about the role radiation therapy might play in any particular circumstance.

Radiation therapy is not suitable for all cancer types.

Outpatient treatments

For Medicare card holders: If you are having external beam radiotherapy and you are a Medicare card holder, all your consultations at Alfred Health Radiation Oncology and your radiation therapy treatments will be bulk billed and covered by Medicare. You will be asked to sign a Medicare form, every day at the reception desk, on your way out. If you are having external beam radiotherapy and you are a Medicare card holder, all your treatments are covered.

Outpatient consultations

This might be different for consultations, as opposed to the situation for treatment. There is no out-of-pocket cost for consultations with Alfred Health Radiation Oncology Specialists at the public hospital facilities at the Alfred or Latrobe Regional Hospitals. Depending on whether or not you hold an Australian Government Aged Pensioner card; hold a Veteran’s Affairs card; or an Australian Government Health Card, there may be a charge for attending at our clinics held at outside private facilities such as Cabrini or Frankston.

Inpatients

You will not need to sign a Medicare form for your radiotherapy, while you are staying at the hospital. If you have private medical insurance we may ask you to elect to use your insurance: this enables us to charge the insurance company, but there are no out-of-pocket expenses for you should you do this.

Prescription drug costs

Some medication we might prescribe is not free. If it is covered by the pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS) then there is a dispensing cost, charged by the Pharmacist. Sometimes we prescribe drugs that are not on the PBS scheme (because we think the drug we have given is better than the less expensive one on the PBS, or there might be no equivalent on the PBS), in which case there might be an out-of-pocket cost above and beyond the dispensing fee.

Non-Medicare card holders and overseas patients

At the end of each consultation you will receive an invoice. If you decide to proceed to treatment, staff will discuss with you a payment plan. Usually this plan requires payment in advance and reconciliation of the account when treatment is completed. We may need to contact your health insurance company regarding guarantee of payment in which case payment in advance may not be required.

Please note that whilst some of the cost may be claimed from your private health insurer, Alfred Health Radiation Oncology does not submit claims on your behalf.

The Victorian Cancer Council offers some financial help for people suffering from cancer in the form of financial planning, small one off grants for people experiencing economic hardship as a result of their treatment, workplace and small business advice. More information is available at the Victorian Cancer Council.