Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy and radiation oncology, is one of the main treatments for many cancers. It uses precisely targeted rays/beams to destroy cancer cells, so they are unable to multiply.2,3
Different types of radiation used in treatment include:4
- x-rays (most common)
- electron beams
- gamma rays
- proton beams
Cancer cells are more sensitive to radiation than normal cells, so when a regular, small dose of radiation is delivered to a site, normal cells will typically recover, whilst cancer cells do not.1,5
The precision delivered with radiation therapy helps to limit the amount of damage to surrounding healthy tissue near the cancer, aiming for less side effects from treatment.2,3
Radiation therapy can be used in the following ways:2,7,9
- Before surgery or other treatments (neo-adjuvant) to reduce tumour size
- In conjunction with chemotherapy, immunotherapies and other drug treatments
- On its own as a treatment option with curative intent
- To relieve pain and discomfort from cancers that have spread
- In a palliative care setting
Types of radiation therapy
GenesisCare specialises in modern radiation therapy for all adult cancer types.
What to expect on your first day of radiation therapy treatment
Understand what to expect at your first radiation therapy appointment, from arriving at the centre to completing your first treatment session. As every person's care is different, your experience may vary slightly depending on your treatment plan and the GenesisCare centre you attend.
The treatment process is made up of five stages:
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Prior to treatment you will meet with your radiation oncologist who will explain your diagnosis and treatment plan. This will include the type of radiation they have chosen for you and the length of time treatment will take. The type and length of treatment will depend on the type of cancer you have, your preferences and general health.
Questions to ask your treatment team
Cancer treatment can feel daunting, and it’s normal to have questions or feel unsure about what to ask your care team. These questions are designed to guide conversations with your treatment team and help you understand the next steps ahead.
Your treatment team will position you exactly as you will be during therapy and perform a CT scan to map the precise location of the tumour and surrounding organs. This information is used to create a custom treatment plan and ensure your radiation is delivered accurately and consistently each time.6
Your care team — including your radiation oncologist, medical physicist, and radiation therapist — uses the simulation scans to contour the tumour and surrounding organs, and to determine the most appropriate radiation dose, number of treatment sessions, and delivery technique.6
On the day of treatment, you will be set up as you were for the simulation appointment. You will receive your dose of radiation, and then you’ll be able to go home.6
Radiation therapy imaging
Imaging plays an important role in the planning, simulation and delivery of radiation therapy.
Imaging technologies are used to locate and define the tumour and surrounding organs, and to support how radiation is delivered during treatment.
After completing treatment, you’ll have follow-up appointments with your radiation oncologist or care team. These visits may include physical examinations, imaging, or other tests to assess your recovery and ensure the treatment has been effective.6
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Practical treatment information
Radiation therapy is given in intervals called fractions, which are single, smaller doses of radiation given during a treatment session to gradually build up to the total prescribed dose.10 Treatment is typically delivered Monday to Friday over several weeks, and we do our best to schedule appointment times that suit you and your carers.
This schedule allows enough radiation to be delivered to the cancer cells while multiple smaller doses (fractions) each day allows time for healthy cells to recover. Most treatment courses involve multiple sessions over days or weeks, rather than a single visit.
Treatment sessions at GenesisCare last approximately 15–20 minutes, depending on the type of radiation technique being used.*
The total number of treatment sessions varies depending on your cancer type, treatment goal, and radiation technique, and this will be discussed with you during your initial consultation.7
* Average total time required for daily visits: 18 minutes (treatment time average: 13.3 minutes, wait time average: 4.6 minutes). Daily wait and treatment dashboard, 2024 average
The radiation therapy treatment journey
Download our step-by-step guide of what to expect during radiation therapy.
Who is in your treatment team?
Your care is managed by a team of passionate healthcare professionals with experience in oncology including:
- Radiation oncologists
- Registered nurses
- Radiation therapists
- Physicists
- Patient Services Officers (Support staff)
Radiation treatment is given by radiation therapists and supervised by radiation oncologists who are the main treating medical specialists for those receiving radiation therapy.
Meet your treatment team
Read more about the health professionals you may see and after your treatment
All cancer treatments may have side effects. The type and severity of these can vary between individuals, depending on factors such as the treatment area and the proximity of surrounding organs and tissues. Most side effects are temporary and resolve after treatment.2,7,8
Common side effects are summarised below. You can find more detailed information on our Radiation Therapy Side Effects page.
We recommend that patients speak with their treating doctor for detailed information about potential side effects that may be experienced with their type of radiation therapy.
Generic side effects from radiation therapy depending on body site treated
| Symptom | Treatment site | Short-term | Long-term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fatigue (tiredness) | Most treatments | ✓ | |
| Dry, red or itchy skin | Around the area of treatment, most treatments | ✓ | |
| Loss of appetite | Brain, neck, throat | ✓ | |
| Nausea (feeling sick) | Abdominal area | ✓ | |
| Digestive problems | Abdominal areas | ✓ | |
| Hair loss | Brain or scalp | ✓ | |
| Dry or sore throat, loss of taste, mouth ulcers | Brain and neck | ✓** | |
| Trouble swallowing | Chest, throat | ✓ | |
| Cough or shortness of breath | Lung | ✓ | |
| Blurry vision | Brain | ✓ | |
| Memory or concentration issues | Brain | ✓ | |
| Headaches | Brain | ✓ | |
| Hair loss | Most treatments | ✓ | |
| Lymphoedema | Treatment area | ✓ | |
| Urinary and bladder problems | Pelvis, abdominal areas | ✓ |
** Whilst usually short term, taste may take a few months to return
Table notes2,7,8
Short term: For the duration of treatment and a few weeks afterward
Long term: For the duration of treatment and months and occasionally years
More on side effects
Find out more about potential Radiation Therapy side effects
How much does radiation therapy cost?
While exact Radiation Therapy costs vary depending on your treatment plan and personal circumstances, typically 80-90% of your costs will be covered by Medicare10.
Private health insurance is not required.
Following your initial doctor consult, you will have a dedicated fee conversation with a team member who will provide you with an estimate for the cost of your care.
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| ✓ | Medicare typically covers approximately 80–90% of treatment costs for eligible patients (depending on your position within your Medicare Safety Nets) |
| ✓ | No private health insurance required |
More on radiation therapy costs and billing
Once your treatment is complete, you will continue to have regular check-ups with your doctor. They may undertake scans and tests to check how the cancer has responded to treatment.
Radiation therapy takes time to work, with cancer cells continuing to die for weeks or months after treatment. It can be some time after treatment before your team can give you definitive answers on your progress or outcomes. This can be an anxious time, so ensure you are getting the support you need. Reach out to your team for guidance on where to go for specific support.8
Radiation therapy works by using high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells, which stops them from growing and dividing. Over time, this damage causes cancer cells to die, while surrounding healthy cells are better able to repair themselves. Treatment is carefully planned to target the cancer as precisely as possible and limit exposure to nearby healthy tissue.11
The effects of radiation therapy build up over time, which is why treatment is usually delivered over multiple sessions rather than all at once.10
Radiation therapy is a well-established and highly effective cancer treatment that has been used for more than 100 years. It works by delivering controlled, targeted doses of radiation over multiple treatment sessions to destroy cancer cells. This precise targeting helps limit damage to nearby healthy tissue, which can reduce side effects.3,11
The number of radiation therapy sessions you need varies depending on the type of cancer being treated, the size and location of the tumour, the radiation technique used, and your overall health. Treatment is usually delivered in multiple smaller doses called fractions, given over several days or weeks, rather than in a single session.7
Your radiation oncologist will explain the recommended number of sessions as part of your personalised treatment plan.
External beam radiation therapy doesn’t hurt during treatment, although some people may experience pain or irritation afterward. You can’t see or smell the radiation, but you may hear a low-grade buzzing sound while the machine is operating. You will not be radioactive after treatment, and it is completely safe to be around other people.11
Internal radiation therapy involves placing a small implant inside the body. You may feel some discomfort when the implant is inserted, but you should not have ongoing pain or feel unwell. While the implant is in place, it can release small amounts of radiation outside your body, so it’s best to limit visitors until it is removed.11
Radiation therapy sessions at GenesisCare typically last approximately 15 – 20 minutes, depending on the type of radiation technique being used and the complexity of your treatment. This time includes positioning and set-up; the actual delivery of radiation usually takes only a few minutes.7,11,12
No. External beam radiation therapy does not make you radioactive, and it is safe to be around other people, including children and pregnant women, during and after treatment. The radiation is delivered while the machine is on and does not remain in your body afterward.10
In some cases, internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) involves placing a radioactive source inside the body for a period of time. Your treatment team will explain any temporary safety precautions if this applies to you.15
It’s important not to miss or delay any treatments once your course of radiation therapy has started, as this helps you achieve the best possible outcome. If you need to miss a treatment session for medical or personal reasons, your radiation oncologist will discuss what this means for you and plan the next steps.13
In most cases you can drive after treatment, unless your doctor has advised otherwise. If you are experiencing side effects that may affect your ability to drive safely—such as fatigue, pain, or nausea—you should avoid driving. Restrictions may apply if you are having treatment involving your head and/or brain.14
Yes. You can continue with as much of your daily routine as you feel able to manage, including work and exercise. Just avoid pushing yourself too hard and rest when you need to.11
It is important to tell your doctor about all medications—prescription and over-the-counter—as well as supplements before you start treatment. Some medications cannot be taken with radiation therapy.13
Once your treatment has finished, you will have regular check-ups with your doctor. They may arrange scans and tests to assess how the cancer has responded to treatment.
Radiation therapy continues to work after your sessions end, with cancer cells dying for weeks or months afterward. It may take some time before your team can give you definitive information about your progress or outcomes. This can be an anxious period, so make sure you have the support you need. Reach out to our teams for guidance on where to find appropriate support.11
- Cancer Australia. (2023, January). Breast cancer. Australian Government. Retrieved May 2023, from https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer/overview
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024, December). Cancer data in Australia. Australian Government. Retrieved June 2025, from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/cancer-incidence-by-age-visualisation
- Cancer Council Australia. (2022, July). Understanding breast cancer. Retrieved May 2023, from https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/breast-cancer
- Cancer Council Australia. (n.d.). Early detection of breast cancer. Retrieved May 2023, from https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/early-detection-and-screening/early-detection-of-breast-cancer
- Stowe, H. B., Andruska, N. D., Reynoso, F., Thomas, M., & Bergom, C. (2022). Heart sparing radiotherapy techniques in breast cancer: A focus on deep inspiration breath hold. Breast Cancer: Targets and Therapy, 14, 175–186.
- National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). NCI dictionary of cancer terms: Hypofractionated radiation therapy. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved May 2023, from https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms
- Freislederer, P., Kügele, M., Öllers, M., et al. (2020). Recent advances in surface guided radiation therapy. Radiation Oncology, 15(1), 187.
- Cancer Council Australia. (2021, December). Understanding radiation therapy. Retrieved May 2023, from https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/treatment/radiation-therapy
- National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Immunotherapy to treat cancer. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved September 2023, from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/immunotherapy
- Cancer Council Australia. (n.d.). Immunotherapy. Retrieved September 2023, from https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/treatment/immunotherapy
- American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Immunotherapy [PDF]. Retrieved September 2023, from https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/CRC/PDF/Public/6678.00.pdf
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