Your radiotherapy team

A team of specialists are involved in planning and giving your radiotherapy. Here are some of the people you may meet.

Therapeutic radiographers are experts in radiotherapy and are specially trained to give you your treatment. They can also give you support, advice and information about your radiotherapy. They will:

• help plan your treatment
• help you get into the right position for treatment
• operate the radiotherapy machine to give you your treatment
• give you information, practical care and support throughout your treatment.

You will get to know a team of radiographers during your treatment. You can discuss any worries about your treatment with them.

A physicist is a radiation expert who helps plan your treatment. They work out the amount of radiation you need and the best way of giving it. They also check that the machines give the planned dose of radiation in the correct way.

Many cancer centres have specialist cancer nurses. They are sometimes called a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) or an advanced nurse practitioner. They have expert knowledge about the type of cancer you have. 

Some radiotherapy clinics have nurses who give information about the treatment and its side effects. They may also give advice on skin care and medicines to manage side effects.

Other types of health professionals may be involved in your care. Who you may meet depends on what type of cancer you have and what help you need. They may include the following:

• Medical oncologist – a doctor who uses chemotherapy and other anti-cancer drugs to treat people with cancer.
• Haematologist – a doctor who diagnoses and treats blood disorders and cancers.
• Dietitian – someone who gives information and advice about food and food supplements.
• Speech and language therapist (SLT) – someone who gives information and support to people who have problems talking and swallowing.
• Physiotherapist – someone who gives advice about exercise and mobility.
• Occupational therapist (OT) – someone who gives information, support and aids to help people with tasks such as washing and dressing.
• Palliative care nurse or doctor – someone who helps with symptom control.
• Social worker – someone who can help sort out practical and financial problems.
• Counsellor – someone who is trained to listen to people’s problems and help them find ways to cope.