Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses high energy rays to destroy cancer cells.

Treatment can be given either from outside the body or from within by placing a radioactive material close to the tumour. Receiving radiotherapy does not usually involve a hospital stay, but a series of visits instead.

Radiotherapy can cause side effects but these are dependent on the particular treatment. Your Key Worker will explain fully before a course of treatment is begun.

The Sussex Cancer Network adheres to The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) (101kb PDF file) guidance, and the procedures recommended by the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Radiologists.

Radiotherapy treatments are given at the Sussex Cancer Centre.

Patients who live in the Hastings area may be offered treatment closer to home at the Kent Oncology Centre in Maidstone. Hospital transport is available to patients who need it medically, this is decided with the consultant.
A counselling service is available to patients receiving treatment in Maidstone.

Cancerbackup have produced a video for patients undergoing radiotherapy. It has been scientifically evaluated to reduce anxiety,and covers footage of patients actually having treatment, the more common side effects of treatment and ways to alleviate them as well as patients who have just finished treatment, describing their experiences.