Cancer Radiotherapists

Cancer is a disease that has been around for thousands of years, but it wasn’t treated until recently. Historians and medical researchers have stated that mummies from ancient Egypt have shown evidence of tumors, but it isn’t clear if they were aware of the disease or not. It wasn’t until the late 1800s that the x-rays were discovered by physicist WilhelmRöntgen, and later on it was used to develop cancer radiotherapy to treat and stop cancerous cells. In order to administer the treatment, the facility needs to have the proper equipment and knowledgeable cancer radiotherapists, who can handle the machines properly and read the results accurately.

Working as a Cancer Radiotherapist

There are various types of cancer radiotherapies but the most common one is the one that is administered using a large machine, which in turn projects a beam of radiation. When the beam hits the tissue, it continues to deliver powerful ions that have the capability of attacking the cancerous cells, and at times it might even make them disappear. Despite the fact that today’s technology has allowed humans to count with the support of digital machines, the external beam procedure needs to be operated by a cancer radiotherapist. However, prior to starting the treatment, the patients need to see an oncologist so a program can be tailored to treat their cancer. At the time of the session, a team of people will actually help the patient, and the cancer radiotherapist will be the one to handle the beam machine and the patient’s position.

Radiotherapist Training

In order to become a cancer radiotherapist, you must first receive the proper training, as well as a bachelor’s or associate’s degree. One important tip that you must not forget is to always check the requirements in your local area, since some states might require one type of license while others won’t. However, the majority of potential employers will most likely require you to have certification in order to work legally as a cancer radiotherapist. If you have already completed your college degree (either bachelor or associate), you can proceed to enroll in a separate radiotherapy program in order to be considered for a job. Additionally, your employer might also require you to apply for The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification, which has a valid period of one year.

Finding a Job as a Radiotherapist

Many people have gained interest in the radiotherapy field because it’s extremely interesting to learn how to handle the machines, and it’s also heartwarming to help those who are ill. Fortunately, cancer radiotherapists are capable of finding a job quite fast upon completion of their certification program. Since 2008 the job market for cancer radiotherapist has been graded as good and it’s expected to grow a lot more in the next seven years. The grand majority of cancer radiotherapists are working in hospitals, while a smaller portion is divided between doctors’ offices and small laboratories. The estimated average salary for a cancer radiotherapist in the U.S. is $72,910.