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 — call 0300 443 6661.

Macmillan information and support centre, Southend University Hospital: 01702 385101  

Oncology outpatient reception: 0300 443 5881  

Oncology outpatient nurses: 0300 443 0109 

Macmillan cancer support: Freephone 0808 808 0000

You can go to Macmillian's cancer support website here: www.macmillan.org.uk