About Radiation Therapy
Radiation Therapy is a widely used method in oncology (treatment of cancers) as well as the treatment of a range of other health conditions.
We work closely with you and with specialist teams to ensure your care is tailored to your needs and your condition, collaborating with leading surgeons, endoscopists, medical oncologists, dental surgeons as well as allied health staff (physio, speech therapist, dieticians).
We fervently believe early detection of disease and a proactive approach to health management ensures best patient outcomes.
Screening
As well as radiation therapy for treatment of existing conditions, we can provide screening services to assist in detecting cancers earlier and enabling more effective treatment as well as providing peace of mind around ongoing health. Our core screening specialities are for bowel cancer and PSA (prostate) cancers.
If you have any worries about your health, we highly advise speaking to your GP to discuss whether screening could be a good idea and getting a referral if there is cause for concern. We are always happy to support you in assessing your concerns, reviewing and recommending appropriate tests or actions, but self-referrals are generally self-funded, so we do suggest seeing your GP first if you can.
It is a good idea to check with your insurance provider what is covered under your policy.
Cancer Treatment with Radiation Oncology
Radiation Oncology can be an effective treatment method for the full spectrum of cancers throughout the body, including lung cancer, prostate cancer, bowel and colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and cancers in the brain, head and neck as well as skin cancer.
Radiation can be used as a standalone treatment for some cancers, or used as a complementary method before or after surgery and in conjunction with chemotherapy, depending on the need.
Treating Benign & Superficial Conditions with Radiation Therapy
The value of radiation therapy extends beyond cancer treatments (oncology), with many benign and superficial conditions able to be treated with this same technology.
Benign Conditions
Some of the benign treatments that can be done with radiation therapy include:
- Gynecomastia
- Dupuytren’s & Ledderhose
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Inflammatory disorders
- Degenerative disorders
- Hypertrophic disorders
- Acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas)
- Paragangliomas
Superficial Therapy
Superficial radiotherapy is a generally safe, quick and pain-free treatment for conditions on or close to the skin, including:
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
- Keloid scars (usually in conjunction with a plastic surgeon)
- Bowen’s Disease
- Lentigo Maligna
- Psoriasis
Recovery & Remission
Our approach to cancer treatment is focused on enabling a return to high quality of life post-treatment and reducing future risks wherever possible. This means taking a holistic approach to complementary and alternative treatments to suit each patients’ preferences. We are also fully supportive of other strategies to support recovery and manage risks and symptoms, including diet and lifestyle and can connect you with related practitioners.
After treatment, you can expect 3-to-4 monthly follow-up visits in your first two years post-treatment, and then 6-monthly visits for the next five years. If you live out of town, we will monitor remotely, with ongoing blood tests and scans.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Services
We treat a wide range of conditions in addition to cancer. You can read more about benign conditions treated above, or contact us to discuss any questions.
The first thing to do is to speak to your GP. If your GP has already referred you, then a conversation with a specialist is a good idea. Your GP or specialist team will walk you through the best course of action and next steps. If you are interested in screening services, we can also assist you with this.
While you do not need to have a referral to speak with us, it is generally recommended so that we can ensure you have been correctly assessed and we can be efficient in organising appropriate treatment. In most cases, a GP or specialist referral helps to ensure you have been screened and recommended the right support – whether that is surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination. Please check with your insurance provider as to their process and to ensure cover where appropriate.
If you are already seeing a specialist or GP who has suggested radiation therapy, they will provide you with a referral upon your approval, and we will follow up with you. If you have not received a referral yet and would like one, the best person to speak to is your GP or another health practitioner.
Yes, you are welcome to bring a support person to your sessions. We fully advocate for making your sessions as welcoming and supportive for you as we can, and having someone there to help you, to ask questions, can be hugely beneficial.
About Cancer & Treatment
It’s normal to be worried and to want treatment to be completed as fast as possible. Treatment can vary in duration depending on the condition and the stage at which treatment is started, but modern advancements mean it is often much shorter than people expect. Once you have been screened and a treatment plan created, individual sessions for treatment can often be done in as little as 30 minutes. The number and spacing of sessions again will depend on your circumstance and will be worked out with your treatment team.
Treatment side effects can vary and will depend on the condition being treated. All the possibilities of what to expect will be walked through with you in detail before your treatment begins so you can be well prepared. You can find lots of useful information about cancer treatment at targetingcancer.com.au.
Please see the Your Journey page to understand more about the steps in seeking treatment. You can find lots of useful information about cancer treatment at targetingcancer.com.au.
Both surgery and radiation therapy are highly proven and effective methods of cancer treatment. Both have different benefits and side effects, and are suitable for different situations, or may be used effectively in conjunction with one another. Your treatment team will be able to advise you of the best options for your unique situation and will be able to help you make an informed decision about the best approach for your treatment. For more information about types of treatment see our Cancer Treatment page.
Costs for radiation therapy and cancer treatment can vary depending on the treatment required, and on your insurance. Often, if you have insurance, it will require a co-payment arrangement. Speak to your insurance provider for information specific to your plan. If you are uninsured, we can talk to you about private payment/self-funded treatment. Screening and prevention services are generally not covered by insurance and require private payment. If you would like to know more, we are happy to discuss this with you.