Preparing for Your Treatment
Preparation for radiation therapy is a very unique process for each person, from diagnosis and decision making, to the planning and delivery treatment. As all body shapes and treatment needs are different, an individual plan is created just for you.
Radiation Oncology reception area.
Deciding on Your Cancer Care Options
Deciding whether or not to have radiation therapy can be a big decision. You may feel overwhelmed with information and advice from other people who have previously had cancer. On the other hand, perhaps you don’t feel you have had enough information to make a decision about your cancer treatment. To help in the decision making process, we have compiled a list of questions that you may wish to ask your Radiation Oncologist.
A range of information and booklets specific to different types of cancer is available from the Cancer Society. The Cancer Society is located throughout New Zealand. To locate the Cancer Society closest to you, call their support and information line 0800 CANCER (226 237). For privacy reasons, the Cancer Society cannot contact you, so they ask you to make the first contact.
First Day
On arrival at the department, you will be greeted by a receptionist who will issue you with an identification card. Please keep this card for the duration of your treatment as the treatment staff will need to see it every day.
CT Scan and Nurses Video Clip
Radiation Therapy Planning Video Clip
Nursing Appointment
You will have an appointment with a specialist oncology nurse. The nurse will complete an assessment form with you that aims to identify issues or concerns that may impact on your radiation therapy treatment. Inform the nurse if you normally receive services such as district nursing, meals on wheels or assistance with personal care.
After the nursing appointment, you will have a CT simulation appointment. If you are receiving superficial radiation treatment, a CT scan is not required and instead you will have an appointment with your radiation oncologist. At this appointment, the radiation oncologist will mark the area to be treated directly on the skin.
Planning
Computed Tomography (CT) Simulation
In order to deliver safe and effective treatment, we create a treatment plan that is individual to you. To create this plan, a CT scan is done. The CT scan produces images that are used to visualise and outline the exact area to be treated and perform dose calculations.
Why Do I Need a CT Scan?
Having a CT Scan
Nursing Appointment
Radiation Therapy Mask
Skin Markings
Computer Planning
Computer Planning
The time between your CT scan and your first treatment is spent creating a customised radiation treatment plan. A radiation therapist will create the treatment plan using specialised computers. Depending on the complexity, the standard planning time frame can vary from the same day up to three weeks.
At the time of your CT scan, you will be advised approximately when your plan should be completed. As soon as the plan is ready, a booking coordinator will contact you directly. This is usually 2-3 days before your start date. Bookings are made in this way to ensure that no time is wasted between you deciding to have treatment and getting started. However, sometimes it is difficult to get organised at short notice, especially if you are from out of Palmerston North. If this is the case, a set start date can be decided at CT that allows you to plan for your time in Palmerston North. This date will usually be three weeks after your CT.
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Last Updated 08/06/2010