Radiation Oncology is the treatment of cancer using Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high doses of radiation to target cancer cells in order to kill them or slow their growth. Radiation therapy can be delivered from outside the body (external beam) or inside the body (bracytherapy). External beam radiation therapy involves the use of a machine to direct radiation to the area of the cancer, while brachytherapy delivers radiation from a tiny source implanted directly into or next to the tumour.
Radiation Oncology Medical Physicists are experts on radiation, its interaction with the human body and its application to the treatment of cancer. They create, implement and monitor advanced cancer radiation treatment technologies and procedures that will allow for the best treatment on a case-by-case basis, while also taking into account the protection and safety of patients and staff.
ROMPs are involved in clinical consultancy, treatment delivery and verification, quality assurance and latest technology evaluation. They are commonly responsible for the safe operation and quality of systems in established medical radiation treatment machines such as linear accelerators, CT scanners, and superficial X-Ray machines, and for the implementation and safety assessment of new treatment technologies, such as image guided radiation therapy.
ROMPs work closely and collaboratively with physicians, nurses, therapists and engineers to safely deliver radiotherapy. A radiation oncologist will recommend a radiation dose, a radiation therapist will plan it, and the radiation oncology medical physicist will ascertain the safety of equipment to be used for treatment so that the dose may be delivered correctly. Medical physicists can also provide case-specific advice to radiation oncologists and radiation therapists on the best way to apply medical radiation. They also work with IT and engineering staff on radiotherapy equipment and the computer systems linked to them.
Radiation Safety is the responsibility of medical physicists no matter their specialty. All other professionals rely on the medical physicist for radiation safety matters, advice and policy.
ACPSEM member, Dr Sean Geoghegan (State Director of Radiation Oncology Medical Physics at Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA), is featured in a video on Australia's Science Channel in which he explains his role and experience as a radiation oncology medical physicist. You can watch it here.