The burden of lifestyle-associated disease is increasing with a preventative approach to health becoming more of a focus. Within the oncology setting, the importance of supporting patients with positive lifestyle changes post treatment is included within the recently developed recovery package and the contribution of therapeutic radiographers will be significant in the implementation of this.

A 23-question survey tool was distributed via the online platform Survey Monkey. The questionnaire was promoted online through the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR). All members of the SCoR had access to the questionnaire to allow for assessment of health improvement provision nationally. Quantitative and qualitative data were acquired and analysed using the statistical package for the social sciences, descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.

Therapy radiographers recognise importance of health promotion. Highest levels of provision were observed with smoking cessation and lowest levels of provision observed on the topic of exercise. Key barriers identified were staff responsibility and lack of knowledge and training of therapy radiographers.

Health improvement is part of the role of the therapy radiographer and is delivered within UK radiotherapy departments; however, there is scope to increase delivery with the identification and overcoming of barriers to provision.

Skin care practices for radiotherapy patients are complicated by dosimetric concerns. This study measures the effect on skin dose of various topical agents and dressings.

Superficial doses were measured under 17 topical agents and dressings and three clinical materials for reference. Dose was measured using a MOSFET detector under a 1 mm polymethyl methacrylate slab, with 6 MV photon beams at 100 cm source to surface distance.

Relative skin dose under reference materials was 128% (thermoplastic mask), 158% (5 mm bolus) and 171% (10 mm bolus). Under a realistic application of topical agent (0·5 mm), relative skin doses were 106–111%. All dry dressings yielded relative dose of ≤111%; two wet dressings yielded higher relative doses (133 and 141%).

Under clinically relevant conditions, no cream, gel or dry dressing increased the skin dose beyond that seen with a thermoplastic mask. Dressings soaked with water produced less skin dose than 5 mm bolus. This may be unacceptable if wet dressings are in place for the majority of the treatment course. Our results suggest that skin care practices should not be limited by dosimetric concerns when using a 6 MV photon beam.

Cancer research in the National Health Service has increased by 10·5% in 3 years since the formation of the National Cancer Research networks in 2000. The initial enthusiasm from clinical staffs to embark on a project has to be balanced against the implications of resources, costs and other developments. There is no standardised method to assess the impact of research projects on clinical practice. The aim of this project was to develop and implement a Radiotherapy Research Activity Assessment Tool (RAAT) to assess the feasibility of newly proposed projects within clinical settings.

A multi-step development method was used. The steps involved the principles of quality function deployment. The consecutive steps involved developing a user-friendly and replicable tool and would fit on one A4 page. The process involved multi-professionals and patients throughout the design process. The tool was preliminary tested on usability among eight stakeholders on a ten-point scale (1=poor; 10=very good). Percentage agreement was evaluated at 6 month post initial RAAT assessment scoring by the seven multi-disciplinary team (MDT) members.

The RAAT was developed in an e-form available in Microsoft Excel. The tool scored a mode of 6 for usability. Interrater reliability testing between the radiotherapy MDT resulted in 88% agreement. The RAAT seems to be feasible in clinical practice, and provide a framework to guide the decision-making process. The study calls for further testing of usability and review of long-term implications on all stakeholders.

Radiotherapy randomised controlled trials provide evidence to support the development of new techniques and dose/fractionation regimens. Some radiotherapy trials have previously had to close early or revise targets due to low recruitment rates. Many authors have recommended research into recruitment strategies for many areas of medicine, however little work has been carried out in the specific field of radiotherapy.

Using a survey of research radiographers followed by radiotherapy patient interviews, this project provides perspectives on motives for patient participation in radiotherapy clinical trials, and how to best support people through this decision-making process.

The main factors influencing participation identified by the radiographers were altruism, treatment fatigue and concerns about the trial arms, lack of resources and lack of commitment from some medical colleagues. For patients the main factors were mainly emotional; altruism, and fears for efficacy of different trial arms featured, with requests for timely communication of trial information.

We recommend that strategies should be offered proactively to support patients through the decision-making process when considering trial participation. Research radiographers are ideally qualified to offer support and expert knowledge to these patients.

The purpose of this study was to audit positioning errors during bladder image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) and quantify survival outcomes.

We carried out a retrospective review of 141 patients treated between March 2007 and July 2010 with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. An offline imaging protocol using kV cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used. Positioning errors, clinical interventions and re-planning rates were quantified. Cancer outcomes and survival were collected by review of patient notes and a registry search.

Among all, 43% of the patients required no intervention. Isocentre corrections were used for systematic bony set-up error in 13% and to improve bladder coverage in 28%. Clinical interventions to improve bladder coverage were required in 16% of the patients and repeat computed tomography planning in a further 16%. Overall, 44% of the patients demonstrated some form of organ deformation that would have resulted in inadequate dose to the bladder or significant overdose to an organ at risk if not corrected for. Post-treatment check cystoscopy was undertaken in 107 patients (76%) with 72 noted to have a complete response. Overall survival was 47·8% at 3 years.

Organ deformation during radiotherapy for bladder cancer is a significant problem for over 40% of patients. Strategies to compensate are essential to ensure optimal plan delivery.

This study aims to compare conventional simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) planning technique with a hybrid SIB intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) technique with varying open tangent to IMRT field dose ratios. Furthermore, we investigated which of the dose ratios proves the most favourable as a class solution across a sample.

In total, 15 patients with conventional SIB treatment plans were re-planned with hybrid SIB IMRT technique using three differing open field:IMRT dose ratios, that is, 80:20, 70:30 and 60:40. Plans were compared using dosimetric comparison of organs at risk (OARs) and homogeneity and conformity indexes across target structures.

All hybrid plans reduced dose maximums and showed a reduction of high doses to both lungs but increased lower doses, that is, V5, with similar results discovered for the heart. Contralateral breast dose was shown to decrease V5 and V1 measures by hybrid arms, whereas increasing the V2. Left anterior descending artery dose and non-irradiated structures were reduced by all hybrid arms. The homogeneity and conformity increased across all hybrid arms. Qualitative assessment of all plans also favoured hybrid plans.

Hybrid plans produced superior dose conformity, homogeneity, reduced dose maximums and showed an improvement in most OAR parameters. The 70:30 hybrid technique exhibited greater benefits as a class solution to the sample than conventional plans due to superior dose conformity and homogeneity to target volumes.

To assess the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) on patients receiving radical radiotherapy for carcinoma of the anus in order to compare the present skincare advice at the time of the study with an alternative product, Aveeno, used primarily for dermatological and chemotherapeutic-induced skin conditions.

Standardised Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) grading and skincare assessments were used primarily to inform on physical reactions within a RCT. A pre-existing morbidity/quality-of-life instrument ‘the Head and Neck Radiotherapy Questionnaire’, which was validated for use with radiotherapy patients in preceding studies, was adapted for anus patients and formed the secondary basis for data collection. In all, 24 participants undergoing radical radiotherapy for anal cancer were randomised into two arms, Aveeno cream versus Aqueous Cream BP, and reviewed weekly to collect data and perform analysis and Mann–Whitney U non-parametric statistical tests.

RTOG gradings for skin reactions were comparable week by week across the cohorts, with a baseline 100% of participants exhibiting RTOG 0 at week 1 in all areas, through to week 6 where both cohorts had progressed to higher RTOG grades. The Aveeno cohort, however, indicated a p-value approaching significance in regards to epidermal regeneration at follow-up 1 (p=0·0543). Questionnaires yielded diminishing responses as treatment progressed correlating with advancing RTOG grades, and exhibited increasing negativity in responses in correlation with advancing RTOG grade exhibited.

The study was the first to recognise colloidal oatmeal as a skincare approach in the radiotherapy setting and recognises the potential benefits of Aveeno in radiation-induced skin reactions. The study determined the RTOG grading system to be robust as a method of evaluation of skin reactions and the questionnaires deemed the quality-of-life assessment to be a necessity in order to address patients’ psychological needs in addition to the physical needs.

The aim of this study was to consult patients about their experiences of comfort while wearing a thermoplastic mask during head and neck radiotherapy before designing a study to develop a comfort scale for radiotherapy.

A qualitative method using a focus group of patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancer was deployed. Five patients were invited and agreed to participate. Semi-structured questions guided the focus group interview. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes.

Three patients participated in the focus group. Three main themes were identified: Physical comfort, Mental perception, Passivity. Physical comfort derived from feelings of pressure, unpleasantness, and generally being uncomfortable. Mental perception derived from how the physical comfort was perceived and derived from feelings of shock, anxiety, indifference and sensory systems. Passivity arose from feelings such as the ‘doctor knows best’, ‘putting up with it’, and ‘being taken for a ride’.

The insight of patient’s comfort and experiences are valuable for clinicians to provide patient-centred care. Findings of this study implicate further investigation of how the themes of patient comfort can be measured in radiotherapy to improve the patient experience.

It is unclear whether body mass index (BMI) is a useful measurement for examining prostate motion. Patient’s subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness (SAT) and weight has been shown to correlate with prostate shifts in the left/right direction. We sought to analyse the relationship between BMI and interfraction prostate movement in order to determine planning target volume (PTV) margins based on patient BMI.

In all, 38 prostate cancer patients with three implanted gold fiducial markers in their prostate were recruited. Height, mass and SAT were measured, and the extent of interfraction prostate movement in the left/right, superior/inferior and anterior/posterior directions was recorded during each daily fiducial marker-based image-guided radiotherapy treatment. Mean corrective shift in each direction for each patient, along with BMI values, were calculated.

The median BMI value was 28·4 kg/m2 (range 21·4–44·7). Pearson’s product-moment correlation analysis showed no significant relationship between BMI, mass or SAT and the extent of prostate movement in any direction. Linear regression analysis also showed no relationship between any of the patient variables and the extent of prostate movement in any direction (BMI: R2=0·006 (ρ=0·65), 0·002 (ρ=0·80) and 0·001 (ρ=0·86); mass: R2=0·001 (ρ=0·87), 0·010 (ρ=0·54) and 0·000 (ρ=0·99); SAT: R2=0·012 (ρ=0·51), 0·013 (ρ=0·50) and 0·047 (ρ=0·19) for shifts in the X, Y and Z axis, respectively). Patients were grouped according to BMI, as BMI<30 (n=25, 65·8%) and BMI≥30 (n=13, 34·2%). A two-tailed t-test showed no significant difference between the mean prostate shifts for the two groups in any direction (ρ=0·320, 0·839 and 0·325 for shifts in the X, Y and Z axis, respectively).

BMI is not a useful parameter for determining individualised PTV margins. Gold fiducial marker insertion should be used as standard to improve treatment accuracy.

The aim of this study was to ascertain prostate cancer patients’ perceptions of the quality of physical and emotional support they receive as standard during their course of radiotherapy treatment.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted on 13 patients undergoing radical radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer. Interviews were conducted between fractions 32 and 37 and data were analysed using the Giorgi method.

A number of themes emerged from the data including, interestingly, the value of patients’ place on the ‘waiting room support’ with 46% finding this to be a positive aspect of their experience. On the whole, patients felt well supported during their treatment by both radiographers and fellow patients. However, the results highlighted areas for further improvements, particularly around bowel and bladder preparation.

This small single-centre study has highlighted the importance of good quality, timely information provision. Although patients were, for the most part very happy with the services they were being provided with, areas in need of development where also highlighted. If a more structured review process is to be further investigated then the role of the ‘review radiographer’ should be considered as part of this. The potential benefits of patient peer support is also worthy of further exploration.

The aim of the present study was to report the survival outcomes and late toxicity of high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRBT) boost for dose escalation in patients with intermediate-to-high-risk prostate cancer.

Retrospective data were collected from 137 patients who had undergone definitive radiotherapy for prostate cancer between 2006 and 2010. All patients had external-beam radiotherapy (median dose 46Gy) and HDRBT. Brachytherapy dose was 19Gy in two fractions (6 hours apart) with one implant using Ir-192.

There were 94 high-risk and 43 intermediate-risk patients (NCCN classification). The median follow-up period was 60 months. The 5-year biochemical progression-free survival was 92 and 76% for intermediate- and high-risk groups, respectively. Prostate cancer-specific survival for the intermediate-risk group was 100% and for the high-risk group it was 92% at 5 years. For the entire cohort, the 5-year rate of urethral stricture formation was 13%, and the 5-year rate of late grade 2 and grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity was 4·7 and 4·6%, respectively. There was no grade 3 or greater genitourinary toxicity.

Our data add to the growing body of literature supporting the use of HDRBT in prostate cancer. Late toxicity rates were marginally higher than that expected.

For chest wall irradiation in breast cancer patients, three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) have made tremendous changes in treatment delivery.

The purpose of this study is to compare the dosimetric parameters in IMRT and 3DCRT plans.

IMRT and 3DCRT plans were generated for 25 randomly selected postmastectomy breast cancer patients. The prescribed dose (PD) was 50 Gray (Gy) in 25 fractions (#) at the rate of 2 Gy/# with 5#/week. Dose volume histogram was evaluated for planning target volume (PTV) coverage and dose to organs at risk (OARs). All the dosimetric parameters were compared using unpaired student’s t-test.

PTV coverage was significantly better in IMRT, although the 90% of PTV was well covered by 90% of PD in all plans by both the techniques. Homogeneity index and conformity index were better in IMRT. V5 Gy and Dmean of contralateral lung, contralateral breast and heart (right side chest wall cases) were found to be lesser in 3DCRT compared with that in IMRT. However, there was no significant difference in V20 Gy of ipsilateral lung and V25 Gy of heart (left side chest wall cases) in all the plans by both the techniques.

Adequate target coverage was achieved by both the techniques, however, dose to OARs were lesser in 3DCRT plans as compared with that in IMRT plans. Thus, it can be concluded that 3DCRT is as efficient as IMRT for the chest wall irradiation.

Irish healthcare has seen radical reforms in recent years. Regulatory Body Registration was introduced to improve patient care and regulate professionals. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a requirement of registration. Professionals need to keep up-to-date with new techniques and technologies while maintaining their skills.

This research assessed the factors affecting CPD participation in Radiation Therapists and Diagnostic Radiographers and their knowledge and attitudes towards Regulatory Body Registration.

Online surveys were designed and made available on the Irish Institute of Radiography and Radiation Therapy (IIRRT) Website for IIRRT members. The responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and χ2 tests in a statistical computer programme.

Personal development, time, cost and staff shortages negatively affect CPD participation. Reflective practise is not a barrier to CPD. Knowledge and attitudes to Regulatory Body Registration varied.

CPD must be developed in Radiation Therapy and Diagnostic Radiography. Funding, time and increased staffing could result in effective implementation of CPD. Regulatory Body Registration has been communicated but more information regarding the process is required.

The purpose of this study was to assess the radiotherapy fields being offered to women with a positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) who have not had axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), based on the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z11 results.

We conducted a postal survey, addressed to radiation oncologists specialising in breast cancer treatment. In total, 179 cancer centres were contacted. Three hypothetical case scenarios were presented. In each case, the patient is clinically node negative but has a positive SLN following breast-conserving surgery, without further ALND. Respondents were asked what radiotherapy fields they would treat with in each scenario.

We received responses from 90 radiation oncologists from 73 centres in 11 countries. In the three scenarios (low, intermediate and high risk of further lymph node involvement), standard tangential beams would be used by only 27, 12 and 7%, respectively; high tangential beams by 33, 18 and 13%; tangents with full axillary/supraclavicular irradiation by 26, 51 and 61%; the remaining 14, 19 and 19% would use a nomogram to aid their decision.

This survey describes the lack of consensus regarding the management of the axilla in patients with clinically node-negative breast cancer but a positive sentinel node and who have not had ALND.

To evaluate the impact of leg position on the dose distribution during intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer.

This prospective study was performed on 11 women with cervical cancer who underwent intracavitary brachytherapy. After insertion of the brachytherapy applicator, two sets of computed tomography slices were taken including pelvis, one with straight leg and one with leg flexion position with knee support. The dose (7 Gy) was prescribed to point A. The radiotherapy plan was run on the Plato Planning Software System V14·1 to get the dose distributions. Also, rectum and bladder doses were measured for both leg positions during the treatment. The doses and volumes of organs were compared via the Wilcoxon signed-rank test by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 11·5 statistical software.

No significant difference regarding the dose distributions and volumes of target, sigmoid and bladder due to leg position was observed, either on 3D planning or on in vivo dose measurements. However, there were significant differences for 25 and 50% isodose coverage of rectum in favour of straight leg position (p=0·026). There were no significant differences regarding maximum doses in any critical organ.

Difference in leg position caused only a small change in rectum dose distribution and did not cause any other change in either dose distributions or in vivo measured doses of both target and critical organs during cervical brachytherapy. Straight leg position appears better with regard to rectum dose.