An oncologist's guide to radiotherapy
Radiation therapy damages the genetic material of cells, which controls their growth and division.
Patient Prepared For Radiation Therapy / Wikimedia Commons: Rhoda Baer
Clement Manyathela interviews Dr Heide Hart, Oncologist at Vincent Pallotti Hospital.
Listen below.
Radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, is a cancer treatment that utilises high-energy beams to target and kill cancer cells.
Unlike chemotherapy, which is a systemic treatment typically administered in tablet or drip form, radiation therapy uses precise X-rays, minimising damage to surrounding healthy cells.
Radiation therapy works by damaging the genetic material of cells, which controls their growth and division.
While healthy cells may be affected during treatment, they have a greater ability to repair themselves compared to cancer cells.
The primary objective of radiation therapy is to treat the cancer effectively while minimising harm to healthy tissue.
According to Hart, radiation therapy can be used in conjunction with chemotherapy.
It may be administered after surgery to help eliminate any remaining cancer cells or to prolong a patient's life when a cure is not possible.
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Typically, radiation treatments are scheduled daily over a specified period, with each session lasting about 10 minutes, allowing patients to continue with their daily activities.
Hart emphasises that both public and private healthcare facilities across the country provide radiotherapy services; however, access can vary significantly by province.
As one of the cornerstones of cancer treatment, she says it's crucial that radiation therapy remains accessible to all patients.
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"It would be amazing if we could give access to all South Africans to have equivalent amount of access to radiation."
- Dr Heide Hart, Oncologist – Vincent Pallotti Hospital
Regarding financial aspects, Hart explains that if you have medical aid, there is a prescribed minimum benefit for oncology treatments that the medical aid is legally required to cover.
The specific amount you receive under this benefit depends on the plan you are enrolled in.
However, it is important to note that radiotherapy is included in this coverage, she adds.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.