What is Radiation Therapy?

Have you been considering a career as a Radiation Therapist but still have questions as to what it is and how it’s used? Maybe you’re looking for your next step after high school and need more information on how a career as a Radiation Therapist could benefit you.

No matter where you are in your search for your next big move, this article will cover a few things you should know about becoming a radiation therapist.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is an external-beam radiation treatment that is commonly used for cancer treatment. It provides radiation from a machine outside the body and can be used to treat big areas of the body, if required.

When radiation is used to fight cancer, it does so by combating the growth of cancer cells. The damage done to the cell’s DNA from the radiation prohibits any further growth. Radiation therapy is used in different ways depending on the kind of cancer and treatment plan a patient has. It can also be used to relieve discomfort a patient may feel.

At times, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or other treatments are combined to attack the cancer cells and prevent their growth.

How Does Radiation Therapy Work?

Radiation therapy utilizes x-ray beams to control how cells divide and grow. Once it divides the cell, it becomes destroyed.

The healthy cells remaining work to repair what they can within the body. This is one of the most effective ways to divide cancerous cells and remove the illness.

This form of treatment is delivered only to the affected area by a linear accelerator controlled by a radiation therapist.

Become a Radiation Therapist

When it comes to patient care, Radiation Therapists are essential. Radiation Therapists are responsible for more than just operating medical machinery, but they are also required to position patients for radiation, document radiation therapy completed per patient, and provide support as patients are treated.

To develop this level of care, it is recommended that students interested in this career path attend an accredited college or university. After successful completion, radiation therapy professionals are able to work in a hospital or clinical setting under the supervision of a radiation oncologist.

At Cambridge, we provide a fully comprehensive radiation therapy program designed to equip you with the information necessary to be successful in this field.

Why Learn with Cambridge Health?

Cambridge offers a radiation therapy program that can be completed in as little as two years. Cambridge provides a curriculum for students to flourish as radiation therapy practitioners. Our staff excels in teaching practical and theoretical skills needed for a successful career in healthcare as a Radiation Therapist.

To find out more about our world-class program, contact us today.