- Our services
- Medical and surgical
- Radiation oncology
Radiation oncology
What is radiation therapy?
More than one in three Australians will develop cancer during their lives and half of these people will require some form of radiation oncology.
Radiation therapy uses X-rays to kill cancer cells and can be used in the early stages of treatment or when cancer has spread. It can also help to reduce the size of cancer or relieve other symptoms.
Depending on your condition, it can be given externally or internally.
The most common type of external radiotherapy is external beam radiotherapy. Internal radiotherapy is known as brachytherapy.
Our radiation oncology services
Radiotherapy may be provided in isolation or in addition to surgery or chemotherapy. Your doctor will advise the best course of treatment for you.
Our caregivers are available to guide you through the process of receiving radiotherapy to help you feel at ease.
Multidisciplinary support
Our radiation oncology service is complemented by an extensive multidisciplinary team. In addition to specialist radiation oncologists, the team includes:
- cancer surgeons
- medical oncologists
- pathologists
- clinical nurse consultants
- clinical pharmacists
- allied health care workers including dietitians, occupational therapists and physiotherapists
- palliative care
- pastoral care practitioners.
Preparing for radiotherapy
Before treatment, your radiation oncologist will explain the process, including planning and treatment, as well as potential side effects and answer your questions.
Our caregivers support you through the process and provide follow-up care after your sessions are complete.
Depending on your treatment plan, you may only need one session of radiotherapy, or you may need multiple sessions for several weeks.
We encourage you to bring a friend or family member with you for your treatment sessions. With your consent, they may remain with you for most of the experience however, they may be asked to leave at times for their own safety.
Benefits of our radiation oncology services
We deliver the highest possible standard of radiation oncology care by:
- combining specialised and tailored care with highly advanced equipment and state-of-the art technology
- offering reduced waiting times wherever possible
- providing the expertise of highly specialised medical caregivers who will guide you through the full course of your treatment.
Costs and fee payment options
If you have private health insurance, the costs for your hospital stay and specialist fees may be covered by your health fund, based on your level of cover.
If you don’t have private health insurance, you can access treatment at a St John of God Health Care hospital through our self-funded care option.
When you use your private health insurance, you get benefits that include access to St John of God Health Care private hospital facilities, your choice of specialist, minimal wait times, and with an eligible policy most of your hospital costs can be covered by your private health insurance fund.
You should contact your health insurer to understand your level of cover, and whether your policy is subject to additional fees such as a hospital excess or other ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses. Your health insurer will also be able to assist in understanding if you will have doctor, radiology and pathology out-of-pocket costs.
Patients who don’t have private health insurance can choose to access St John of God Health Care private hospital services and treatments by paying fees themselves.
By accessing our self-funded care option, you’ll be able to avoid wait times and have your surgery or treatment with your choice of specialist at a St John of God Health Care private hospital.
- Learn more and enquire about the self-funded care option.
- Call 1300 940 199 to get a quote for self-funded treatment.
If you have received an invoice for an expense associated with treatment from a St John of God Health Care service you can pay your bill online.
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