Promoting radiotherapy
Therapeutic radiography careers information
For information about radiography as a career please visit the careers information on this website. The World Radiography Day website also has resources to promote radiography. The Society and College of Radiographers has a limited supply of leaflets, posters and promotional material, please contact Valerie Asemah phone 020 7740 7224 or email valeriea@sor.org
2011 The Year of Radiotherapy Campaign
2011 was officially the Year of Radiotherapy and the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR) took part in the national campaign to raise awareness of this vital cancer treatment.
“It’s 100 years since Marie Curie won her second Nobel Prize, for ‘the isolation of radium and the study of the nature and compounds of this remarkable element’,” explained SoR professional officer for radiotherapy Charlotte Beardmore at the campaign's launch. “Yet, despite all the incredible progress that has been made since this time, public perceptions of radiotherapy are, to a large extent, stuck in the past.”
To address this situation, the Society joined forces with a number of other organisations, including the Royal College of Radiologists, the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine and Cancer Research UK. The Year of Radiotherapy was officially launched by the Society’s President, Sandie Mathers, at the annual Radiotherapy Conference in Birmingham on 28 January. To coincide with the conference, a media launch took place in London where a panel of speakers unveiled the results of a specially commissioned survey exploring public attitudes towards radiotherapy. The panel will work with journalists to dispel radiotherapy myths, address common misconceptions and fears and ensure the benefits of modern radiotherapy treatment are more widely recognised.
“There will be many other radiotherapy awareness initiatives taking place throughout 2011 so that we can build on the momentum from the launch and use the Year of Radiotherapy to bring about a significant shift in positive attitudes towards radiotherapy,” added Charlotte.
Play your part
Even though 2011 is over, the campaign continues and the SCoR is still working hard to promote radiotherapy and spread awareness on a national level. It is important that members do their bit to highlight the importance of radiotherapy. What can you do to increase the understanding of radiotherapy in your area?
The SCoR is encouraging members to join the campaign by opening their departments to the public, providing patients with information and holding events. If you need any advice or information, please contact Professional Officer Charlotte Beardmore.
Synergy News will be following the campaign, so please tell us about your event by emailing the editor.
Launch publicity
Over 200 news items have already been written about the campaign. Here are just a selection:
Sky News
BBC News
The Telegraph
Daily Express
London Evening Standard
Chester First – MP wants better access to radiotherapy
Worcester News – City MP backs cancer unit bid
A look back at the Year of Radiotherapy
With 2012 underway, take a look at some of the campaign's highlights as featured in Cancer Research UK's science update blog: http://bit.ly/YoRreview.
Please contact Valerie Asemah phone 020 7740 7224 or email valeriea@sor.org if you would like to request a supply of resources.
National Cancer Action Team daily radiotherapy newsletter
As part of the Age of Radiotherapy – the campaign working to raise the profile of radiotherapy – the National Cancer Action Team provides a daily e-newsletter to highlight where treatment has been reported in the media.
The wide range of stories also cover advances in radiotherapy, patients’ personal experiences and research into cutting edge technologies.
Click here to subscribe or email Peter Zarko-Flynn to ask to be added to the mailing list.