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Meet the Radiation
Oncology Team
The radiation oncology team
includes:
Radiation
Oncologists
Radiation oncologists are the
doctors who will oversee your
radiation therapy treatments.
These physicians work with the
other members of the radiation
therapy team to develop your
treatment plan and ensure that
each treatment is given accurately.
Your radiation oncologist will
also monitor your progress and
adjust the treatment as necessary
to make sure the radiation is
hitting its target while minimizing
side effects. Before, during
and after your radiation therapy
treatments, your radiation oncologist
works closely with other cancer
doctors, such as medical oncologists
and surgeons, to maximize the
radiation’s effectiveness. Radiation
oncologists have completed at
least four years of college,
four years of medical school,
one year of general medical
training, and four years of
residency or specialty training
in radiation oncology. They
have extensive training in cancer
medicine and the safe use of
radiation to treat disease.
If they pass a special examination,
they are certified by the American
Board of Radiology. You should
ask if your doctor is board
certified.
Radiation
Oncology Nurses
Radiation oncology nurses work
together with radiation oncologists
and radiation therapists to
care for you and your family
during your radiation treatments.
They will explain the possible
side effects you may experience
and describe how you can manage
them. They will assess how you
are doing throughout treatment
and will help you cope with
the changes you may experience.
They will also provide support
and counseling to you and your
family. Radiation oncology nurses
are licensed registered nurses
or licensed practical nurses.
Many registered nurses in radiation
therapy have additional accreditation
in the specialty of oncology
nursing. Advanced practice nurses,
including clinical nurse specialists
and nurse practitioners, have
completed a master's degree
program.
Radiation
Therapists
Radiation therapists work
with radiation oncologists to
administer the daily radiation
treatment under the doctor's
prescription and supervision.
They maintain daily records
and regularly check the treatment
machines to make sure they are
working properly. Radiation
therapists go through a two-
to four-year educational program
following high school or college.
They take a special examination
and may be certified by the
American Registry of Radiologic
Technologists. In addition,
many states require radiation
therapists to be licensed.
Medical
Radiation Physicists
Qualified medical physicists
work directly with the radiation
oncologist during treatment
planning and delivery. They
oversee the work of the dosimetrist
and help ensure that complex
treatments are properly tailored
for each patient. Medical physicists
are responsible for developing
and directing quality control
programs for equipment and procedures.
Their responsibility also includes
making sure the equipment works
properly by taking precise measurements
of the radiation beam and performing
other safety tests on a regular
basis.
Dosimetrists
Dosimetrists carefully calculate
the dose of radiation to make
sure the tumor gets enough radiation.
Using computers, they work to
develop a number of treatment
plans that can best destroy
the tumor while sparing normal
tissue. Since treatment plans
are often very complex, dosimetrists
work with the radiation oncologist
and the medical physicist to
choose the treatment plan that
is right for you. Many dosimetrists
start as radiation therapists
and then, with very intensive
training, become dosimetrists.
Others are graduates of one-
to two-year dosimetry programs.
They are certified by the Medical
Dosimetrist Certification Board.
Other
Healthcare Professionals
You may work with a number of
other healthcare professionals
while undergoing radiation therapy.
These specialists ensure that
all of your physical and psychological
needs are met during your treatment.
Social
Workers
Social workers are available
to provide a variety of supportive
services to you and your family.
They can provide counseling
to help you and your family
cope with the diagnosis of cancer
and with your treatment. They
may also help arrange for home
healthcare and other services.
Nutritionists
Nutritionists or dietitians
work with patients to help them
maintain their diet during their
treatments. They will help you
modify your eating plan if the
side effects of treatment are
affecting your appetite, will
determine what you can eat,
and can provide recipes, menu
suggestions and information
on ready-to-use nutritional
supplements. They address dietary
issues and current developments
that may affect cancer treatment
outcomes.
Physical
Therapists
Physical therapists use therapeutic
exercises to ensure that your
body functions properly while
you are undergoing treatment.
These exercises are used to
help manage side effects, alleviate
pain and keep you healthy.
Dentists
Dentists may be involved in
the care of patients who are
receiving radiation for oral
or head and neck cancers. They
will help prevent the radiation
from damaging the healthy areas
of your mouth and oral cavity,
and may recommend that you have
preventive dental work prior
to radiation. They will also
help you manage oral complications
of cancer therapy, such as dry
mouth. A dental hygienist may
also perform these services
under the supervision of a dentist.
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