Frequently
Asked Questions
Read some of the common question patients ask about radiation therapy.
What is radiation therapy and when is it used?
Radiation therapy is a very common treatment for cancer. It is also called radiotherapy.
Doctors use it on its own or with other treatments. Depending on the type of cancer and where it is, radiation oncologists can use radiation therapy to cure the disease or help with symptoms.
It is also sometimes used to treat other conditions.
When used with surgery, to shrink the cancer and stop it growing, radiation therapy may be called:
- Neo-adjuvant radiation therapy (before surgery)
- Intra-operative radiation therapy (during surgery)
- Adjuvant radiation therapy (after surgery)
If a cure is not possible, your treatment team may use radiation therapy to lessen symptoms and help you have a good quality of life. This is called palliative radiation therapy.
How is radiation therapy given?
Radiation oncology teams give radiation therapy in 2 different ways:
- External beam radiation therapy this is when your treatment team uses a machine to direct radiation beams at the cancer from outside your body.
- Brachytherapy this is when radioactive material is put in thin tubes which are placed in your body near the cancer.
Where will radiation therapy take place?
Treatment teams give radiation therapy in large hospitals and private clinics. Most people visit their treatment centre for a short time each day to be treated. This can be for a few days or a few weeks.
People who are unwell or getting other treatments may need to stay in hospital. People who live a long way from their treatment centre may need to stay close by during treatment.
For people having brachytherapy it is normal to stay a night or two in hospital.
How long is a course of treatment?
This depends on:
- the type of cancer
- the size of the cancer
- where the cancer is
- treatments you’ve already had
- the aims of treatment.
External beam radiation therapy can vary from 1 treatment to many treatments, given 5 days per week for a number of weeks.
With brachytherapy the treatment team may leave the radioactive implants in place for a few minutes, 1-6 days or longer.
Is it a problem if I miss a treatment?
Once you start radiation therapy it is important not to miss or delay any treatments. This will help you get the best effect.
If there are any medical reasons for missing or delaying treatment your radiation oncologist will talk to you about this.
Can radiation therapy be used with other cancer treatments?
Yes, radiation therapy is often used with other treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and drug treatment.
Radiation oncologists work closely with other cancer doctors to work out the mix and order of treatments that will work best for you.
Can I have radiation therapy more than once?
If you get a high dose of radiation in an area of your body you may not be able to get another dose in the same area.
However, treatment teams can sometimes give radiation therapy in the same area if they use a very targeted type of radiation therapy such as stereotactic radiotherapy.
Treatment teams can also use radiation therapy to treat different parts of your body at the same time. For example, when cancer causes bone pain in different areas.
Is radiation therapy safe?
Radiation therapy is very safe. Strict national and international standards apply to treatment, and these are closely monitored and regulated. There are also many safety rules that apply at every step of the treatment process.
The radiation oncology team regularly check and adjust the equipment they use to give radiation therapy. They also check the equipment before each treatment.
If you are worried about radiation therapy, or have questions, talk to your radiation oncology team. They will be happy to help.
Who is in my treating team?
Your radiation oncology team is made up of highly trained experts, including:
- radiation oncologists
- radiation therapists
- physicists
- engineers
- radiation nurses.
You will also see other health professionals who know about the type of cancer you have, including:
- surgeon, medical oncologist, palliative care physician and other specialist medical doctors (called the multidisciplinary team)
- dietitian
- social worker and psychologist
- physiotherapist/occupational therapist/exercise physiologist.
Your treatment teams will communicate your treatment plan and report back to your GP.
Does radiation therapy hurt and will I be radioactive?
External beam radiation therapy does not hurt, and you cannot feel it. It is a bit like having an x-ray or a CT scan.
The machine makes a whirring noise and may move around you while you lie on the treatment bed. There is no smell. You will not be radioactive after external beam radiation therapy. You are safe to be near pregnant women, children and pets.
During brachytherapy, you may feel some discomfort from the implant. While the implant is in place, you may be radioactive for a short time. Your radiation oncology team will talk to you about this and any other precautions that need to be taken.
If you are worried about this or have any questions, be sure to talk to your radiation oncology team.
What are the side effects of radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy is very effective and has fewer side effects than ever. Recent changes mean radiation oncologists can very effectively target cancer while sparing healthy parts of the body. This has significantly reduced side effects.
Side effects from radiation therapy vary between people, even for those having the same treatment.
While you may have no side effects at all, most people feel some mild side effects during and/or just after treatment.
Most side effects end a few weeks after finishing radiation therapy. These are called early or ‘acute’ side effects.
A small number of people experience more serious and/or long-term side effects.
Your radiation oncologist will talk to you about these. You can also read more information on side effects here.
Side effects depend on:
- where the radiation is targeted
- the type of cancer
- where the cancer is
- the purpose of treatment
- the amount of radiation given
Fatigue or tiredness is very common in the second half of treatment. Tiredness varies between people and can carry on for a few weeks after treatment ends.
Other side effects of radiation therapy come from the body parts close to where the radiation is targeted and vary between people.
It is rare for radiation therapy to cause bad nausea or vomiting, hair loss or long-term problems that affect your quality of life.
Some side effects, like fatigue and skin redness, can be managed and will stop once your treatment has finished. Others side may be ongoing and need further help.
If the side effects are severe, the radiation oncologist may change the treatment or prescribe a break. If the doctor thinks pausing treatment could affect how well the treatment is working then a break may not be possible.
Does radiation therapy harm nearby organs?
Radiation therapy continues to improve, leading to better outcomes and fewer side effects.
The dose of radiation you get will be as close as possible to the cancer to protect nearby body parts.
However, to be sure all the cancer is treated, sometimes a small area of nearby organs receive some radiation.
This may give rise to side effects. These are usually short term, but there is a small risk of permanent damage. Your radiation oncologist will talk to you about this and answer your questions before starting treatment.
Can I have radiation therapy if I am pregnant?
No, it is not usually safe to have radiation therapy if you are pregnant. Your radiation oncologist will talk to you about this before starting treatment.
Does radiation therapy cause infertility?
Radiation therapy can affect fertility if organs that are part of the reproductive system are treated. This is especially true for children and young adults.
In these cases, it is important to talk to your doctor about options for having children in the future before starting radiation therapy.
Will radiation therapy affect my mental health and coping?
It is normal to feel upset if you get cancer. Cancer has a big impact on the person who is unwell and the people who care about them. Your partner, support person and family may also be affected while supporting you through treatment.
While it is helpful for a support person to come with you when you talk to your radiation oncologist, they won’t need to attend every treatment.
Will I be able to work during radiation therapy?
Yes, you can keep working during radiation treatment if you feel up to it.
Some people find they need time off toward the end of treatment due to tiredness or other side effects.
Your radiation oncology team can help you make this decision and supply a medical certificate if you need one.
Will radiation therapy cause another cancer?
The risk of this is very low. Clinical trials over many years show that the benefits of radiation therapy are far greater than the risk of a second cancer.
Should I take medications, complementary or alternative therapies while receiving treatment?
Many people with cancer take prescription and/or non-prescription, vitamins, complementary medicines, supplements or alternative therapies. It is very important to tell your doctor about all of these before you start radiation therapy. This is because there are some medications you shouldn’t take during radiation therapy.
How does the radiation oncologist know how much radiation to give me?
The radiation dose your treatment team gives you is guided by training, experience and the results of clinical trials.
Your radiation oncologist also thinks about the type of cancer you have, where it is, the goal of treatment and your overall health.
There is no ‘set’ dose when it comes to treating cancer with radiation therapy and your radiation oncologist will work out a treatment plan that is best for you.
How does the radiation oncology team know where to direct the treatment and that this is being done in the right place?
Radiation oncology teams use CT scanning and other imaging, such as MRI, at their planning session to work out where to target the radiation.
The treatment team may make tiny marks (tattoos) on your skin and take measurements to ensure the beams are aimed in the right area. Some radiation therapy machines use your body shape and contours to line up your treatment every day.
When it comes time to treatment your radiation oncology team will double check all the measurements. They may also use CT scans or x-rays during treatment to ensure accuracy.
Sometimes small metal markers are put into an organ to be treated (e.g. the prostate) so that this area can easily be ‘seen’ by x-rays during treatment.
Is radiation therapy in Australia and New Zealand similar?
Yes, the rules guiding the care of people with cancer and the delivery of radiation therapy in Australia and New Zealand are very similar.
Also, the training programs for radiation oncology staff and the quality standards that apply to radiation therapy are the same.
Should I take part in clinical trials?
Your radiation oncologist may offer you the chance to take part in a clinical trial. Clinical trials are important because they:
- provide people with access to helpful new treatments that may not yet be widely available.
- help treating teams make better decisions about the best care for future patients.
Clinical trials may have a placebo arm, which means there is no active treatment. They may also be blinded, which means you aren’t allowed to know which treatment you are given.
Clinical trials are not available or suitable for everyone.
If you are suitable and someone talks to you about it, remember, clinical trials are voluntary and you can say ‘no’. As part of the process to join a clinical trial, you will also be told that you can leave the trial at any time. If you choose to leave the trial your treatment will continue.
What happens after my radiation therapy?
Your radiation oncologist won’t be able to update you about your progress or cancer shrinkage during your radiation therapy, as the treatment takes time to work.
It may be 3 months after treatment before your team can tell how well the treatment worked. Your treatment team will keep an eye on you over this time and help you with any side effects.
After treatment ends you will have regular checkups with your treatment team for around 5 years. Each year the number of visits will drop.
On these checkups you may see your radiation oncologist, surgeon, medical oncologist or someone else on your treatment team.
It is very important to have a healthy lifestyle and to see your GP regularly.
What should I ask my doctor about radiation therapy?
You may like to ask more about any or all of the FAQs listed here. In particular, it is important to know what to ask your doctor about your condition, the results you can expect from the treatment, the length and duration of treatment (and other logistics) as well as the possible side effects. Don’t hesitate to bring up anything else that may affect you and/or your carer(s) during the treatment, however trivial you might think this is. For instance, parking or transport are common issues that can affect the ease of having daily treatments, so these sorts of things may be very important for you to clarify.
What if my specific question is not answered here?
Visit Cancer Council or dial 13 11 20 (in Australia)
Visit Cancer Control New Zealand or dial (04) 815-9800 (in New Zealand)
Contact Us at Targeting Cancer
How much is radiation therapy going to cost me?
There are a few cost factors to think about when you choose your treatment provider.
These include direct costs such as those covered by Medicare, and other costs such as travel, parking, accommodation and any allied health care that you need. Many radiation therapy centres have staff who can help you work this out.
Click here for more information about radiation therapy and how it helps people with cancer.
Radiation therapy at public or partnership radiation therapy centres (where public services are provided at a public centre by a private provider) is often provided without a cost to the person being treated.
Radiation therapy at a private centre may incur out of pocket costs, also known as a gap or gap payment. This is the difference between the cost of treatment and Medicare rebate. You are required to pay the full cost yourself before you can claim a rebate from Medicare.
Download this page as a pdf factsheet:
What you need to know about the costs of radiation therapy in Australia
Before treatment the treatment centre must tell you:
- The direct costs they charge
- What Medicare rebates you can get
- What your out-of-pocket costs or gap costs will be.
You also need to confirm with the radiation therapy centre what other costs you may need to pay. For example, allied health services may be free of charge in the public system or charge if they are private providers.
Your doctor or the radiation therapy centre may be able to tell you if you can access any government help for travel and accommodation while you get treatment.
You have the right to choose a radiation therapy centre that will do your treatment based on your needs and the costs involved. Many radiation therapy centres have accounts staff who can help you with this.
What are Medicare contributions and out of pocket costs for radiation therapy?
Medicare reimburses 70-80% of the cost of the treatment at private radiation therapy centres.
The out-of-pocket cost (gap) is what you end up paying after Medicare pays you back.
For example, if Medicare covered 70% of treatment costs the breakdown may be as follows:
Direct cost of treatment $ 1,000 (to be paid up front by you)
Less Medicare reimbursement $ 700 (to be paid back to you by Medicare)
Out-of-pocket (gap) cost $ 300
Note: This example does not represent actual treatment costs.
Medicare usually pays you back 1-2 days after they get your claim.
What is the Medicare Safety Net?
The Medicare Safety Net is a government program that provides a higher benefit for some services, including radiation therapy, when you spend a certain amount on out-of-pocket costs. This is called a threshold.
Your threshold depends on your situation. For example, someone who holds a concession card may have a lower threshold than someone else.
You need to meet certain criteria to be eligible for the Medicare Safety Net.
The Medicare Safety Net thresholds and any reimbursements are checked every year on 1 January. Individuals are automatically registered but families must register.
The Medicare Safety Net is extra help for people with high out-of-pocket medical costs. It reduces the amount of out-of-pocket costs for radiation therapy.
The standard Medicare rebate and the additional Medicare Safety Net rebate are automatically calculated and paid into your bank account once a fully paid claim is lodged with Medicare.
For more information about the Medicare Safety Net (including how to register as a family) visit https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/medicare-safety-nets
Radiation therapy and private health insurance
Radiation therapy is usually an outpatient treatment and is not covered by private health insurance, regardless of the level of coverage.
Some private health insurance policies cover radiation therapy if you are treated as an inpatient. You should speak to your health insurance company about this.
What if I have a concession card (healthcare/pensioner card)?
Holding a concession card does not always mean that your out-of-pocket costs (gap) will be lower. You should tell your radiation therapy centre if you hold a concession card.
Holding a concession card does lower the level of the Medicare Safety Net Threshold and provides extra support to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
What if I have a Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) card?
DVA Gold Card holders are supported by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to receive radiation therapy with no out of pocket cost.
DVA White Card holders are not always supported by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. If you hold a DVA White Card you should check with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
For more information visit www.dva.gov.au.
What is informed financial consent and how does it relate to radiation therapy?
When agreeing to treatment at a radiation therapy centre, you should be provided with:
- written information about the Medicare contribution to cost of treatment
- any out-of-pocket costs (gap payments)
- any other costs that may apply.
Questions to ask your radiation therapy provider about costs
- What are your fees? Can I have an estimate of these in writing?
- Are there additional fees for other doctors or healthcare professionals? Are these fees included in your estimate?
- Will I have any out-of-pocket costs/gap payments?
- If the cost changes, when will you let me know?
- When do I need to pay?
- Do I need to pay the whole amount upfront? Or can I pay in instalments?
- What if I need a prosthesis/implant
- Should I contact my health insurance provider?
- Can I access any financial assistance in relation to accommodation and travel?
These FAQs relate to radiation therapy only. If you want to know more information about cancer, please visit Other Useful Resources.
Radiation Oncologist
The best person to talk to is a radiation oncologist. You can ask your doctor for a referral to find out if radiation treatment is right for you.
GPs and Health Professionals
Information for any health professional involved in a patient's cancer care with a particular focus on primary care providers.
Talking to Your Doctor
Your GP or other doctors in the cancer team can organise a referral to a radiation oncologist.
Treatment Centres
Search and find your closest Radiation Oncology Treatment Centre.
