Healthcare science staff working in this field are responsible for the precision and accuracy of treatments by using advanced computer calculations to develop individual patient treatment plans. Patients often undergo radiotherapy every day for a number of weeks, so it is vital to ensure that the treatment is delivered safely and accurately.
Planning starts with an image of the cancer to be treated usually taken on a CT or MRI scanner, outlining the target volume and then planning the treatment beams to be used to treat the tumour, making sure the radiation dose to surrounding tissue is minimised.
Staff are also responsible for ensuring that equipment used in radiotherapy is calibrated precisely and used safely, and that the imaging equipment used during treatment allows the Radiotherapy team to update the treatment plan during a course of treatment.
More about Radiotherapy Physics
Watch these two short videos from Scientist Training Programme Alumni, Davinder Gardner and Adam Brookes.
Davinder talks about developing treatment plans to treat cancer whilst minimising harm to patients and Adam talks about checking linear accelerator machines, which are used to treat cancer, and making sure that they work properly.
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