DVD helps patients prepare for radiotherapy

CANCER patients undergoing radiotherapy will be shown video images of treatment rooms in a DVD aimed at preparing them for therapy.

The DVD has already been used by patients in Cork University Hospital and was yesterday launched for nationwide distribution.

Understanding Radiation Therapy — A Patient Pathway was developed by oncologists at the hospital and sponsored by the Irish Cancer Society.

The first patient educational DVD specific to radiotherapy aims to help and educate patients who are considering or preparing for the treatment.

Joan Kelly, nursing services manager with the society, said: “Radiotherapy is a very difficult concept for patients to get their heads around. Everyone can visualise an operating theatre or they know that chemotherapy involves taking drugs. But people don’t know what to expect with radiotherapy.

“They go into a room and there is a maze of corridors and it is full of equipment. The whole idea is to demystify something that is very frightening. It’s hard enough for people to adjust to their cancer diagnosis, but then to prepare themselves to go in and have therapy is very frightening and it’s very important that it’s made as easy as possible.”

Ms Kelly said previously people were prepared for the treatment through discussions with their health care professional, but the DVD will allow them to learn at their own pace.

“It’s important to have information for people that is appropriate to where they’re at. One day they might want to know everything and the next day they might want to hear nothing about their treatment,” she said.

Copies of the DVD will be available in hospitals to cancer patients and can also be seen on the Irish Cancer Society’s website, www.irishcancersociety.ie.

A copy of the DVD can be obtained by phoning the ICS freephone number, 1800-200700.