OVERVIEW OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY FOR NURSES

  PRACTICES OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY LEARNING OBJECTIVES : At the end of  this module the staff will be able to: 👉describe the principles of radiation oncology 👉list down the sources of ionizing radiations 👉describe the factors that influence radiation sensitivity INTRODUCTION: Radiation has been an effective tool for treating cancer for more than 100 years. More than 60 percent of patients diagnosed with cancer will receive radiation therapy as part of their treatment. Radiation oncologists are cancer specialists who manage the care of cancer patients with radiation for either cure or palliation. Main  goal of radiation therapy is to determine the optimal dose of radiation to the pat hological focus with minimal damage to normal tissues located in the area of exposure. BIOLOGIC BASIS OF RADIATION THERAPY: Radiation therapy works by damaging the DNA of cells and destroys their ability to reproduce, Both normal and cancer cells can be affected by radiation, but cance...

  RADIATION PROTECTION & SAFETY LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of  this module, the staff will be able to: 👉describe the principles of radiation exposure 👉list down the sources of radiation exposure 👉explain the uses of radiation monitoring devices Radiation safety is vital for staff, visitors, and patients.   T he radiation protection  is guided by the concept of keeping radiation  exposure As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). The ALARA concept is based  on the assumption that any radiation dose, no matter how small, can have some adverse effect.  All staff working in areas with potential radiation exposure should be aware of: How radiation exposure can occur Department policy on radiation safety Negative effects of radiation exposure, that radiation has a cumulative lifetime exposure Radiation safety officers and their role The principles of ALARA. There are additional radiation safety precautions that need to be followed for patients who...