Our radiotherapy services
Radiotherapy uses radiation in the form of high energy x-rays to treat cancer. It destroys cancer cells in the area where the radiotherapy is given. Radiation is carefully measured and is usually given in small doses over a prescribed number of days, it is delivered by therapeutic Radiographers.
Please be assured that you will not feel anything whilst undergoing radiotherapy treatment it does not make you radioactive and you can safely mix with other people, including children.
It is important to let your consultant, or our team know if you are or could be pregnant and/or if you have a pacemaker or any other implanted device.
Planning the radiotherapy treatment
The planning process begins with a visit to the radiotherapy planning department at Southend University Hospital. This is the first step in creating a unique plan for you.
Everyone’s treatment plan is individually produced by a team of expert staff. It is planned accurately and safely and may take various lengths of time to produce.
As a part of this, you may need a visit to the mould room, where various personalised accessories are produced
Radiotherapy CT (Computerised Tomography) scanner
The Radiotherapy CT (Computerised Tomography) is a specially designed scanner which provides a series of images from which your treatment is planned. Radiotherapy has to be carefully planned before it can be given. This is to ensure that the intended treatment area is targeted accurately and precisely, and as much normal tissue as possible is protected from the high doses of radiation.
Brachytherapy
High does rate brachytherapy is a form of radiation treatment which uses a sealed radioactive source to deliver a precise, high dose of radiation whilst keeping radiation doses to normal tissue to a minimum.
Contact us
Radiotherapy reception: 01702 507189
Macmillan information and support centre, Southend University Hospital: 01702 385101
Oncology outpatient reception: 01702 385513
Oncology outpatient nurses: 01702 385236 option 4
Macmillan cancer support: Freephone 0808 808 0000
You can go to Macmillian's cancer support website here: www.macmillan.org.uk