THE CANBERRA HOSPITAL - RADIATION
ONCOLOGY - INTRODUCTION
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Canberra One-Stop Cancer Web-Shop.
Many, but not necessarily all, cancer patients are likely to
undergo some form of radiation therapy. In Canberra there is only
one facility, located at the Canberra Hospital. This photo-story
will help you find your way around the Unit as a patient. My
thanks to Wendy for taking me on a guided tour during October
2002.
I actually accompanied my late wife Marg to the Unit for seven
weeks in 2000 while she received treatment for a brain tumour and
later wrote a short piece about our impressions.
The distinction between diagnostic imaging and radiation
therapy is explained in the first webpage for another
photo-story based on a visit to Canberra Imaging.
There is a good overview of radiation therapy, based on what a
breast cancer patient may expect, to be found in Chapter 4 of the
book "All About Early Breast Cancer" which is
available on-line and is distributed through the
National Breast Cancer Centre.
Here is a link to a useful summary by the UK
BACUP organisation of possible side-effects from radiation
therapy which patients might experience, depending on the area
and type of treatment they are receiving. The 17-part on-line
booklet commences here. The authors stress that not all
patients will necessarily experience side effects, nor will they
necessarily experience those identified, but it is useful to be
aware of their diversity and range.
On the right of the photo is the rear
entrance to Canberra Hospital. This is a pick-up and
set-down area. There is parking available about 100
metres back towards Hindmarsh Drive. Medical Oncology
(chemotherapy) is located on the next floor, where the
windows are.
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Don't go through the doors to the rear
entrance of the Hospital. Follow the sign to your left.
If coming via the front entrance turn right to Radiation
Oncology just after the hydrotherapy pool and follow the
signs.
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There is a garden with
some seats.
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This is the external entrance to
Radiation oncology.
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If you are attending for
the first time, or you are going direct to a consultation
with a Radiation Oncologist, you would follow the arrow
to "Radiation Oncology Reception" but if you
are to receive treatment, turn left.
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This is the main reception area for
Radiation Oncology where you will fill in forms and
produce your Medicare card etc.
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Click on the blue button to go to another section of this
photo-story about radiation therapy at The Canberra Hospital.
Introduction.
Main reception and corridor.
Treatment reception.
Pre-treatment preparation.
Treatment preparation.
Treatment.