On the day of your first treatment, plan to be at the cancer centre for about 1 hour. After your first treatment, the radiation therapists can give you a better idea of how long your treatments will take. If you having multiple areas treated, it can take longer.
Before your Treatments
If there are any special preparations you must do before your treatment, you will receive information with details at your planning appointment. Make sure you follow these directions.
On the day of your first Treatment
- Check-in at the radiation reception desk, located in Zone A, Level 1.
- You will be given a number and asked to sit in the waiting room.
- When your number is called, a radiation therapist will be waiting at the reception desk to meet you.
- You may be asked to change into a gown or hospital pants just like you did at your radiation planning appointment.
- The radiation therapists will bring you into the treatment room and position you on the table.
- You will be asked to lie down in the same position as you were during CT simulation.
- Staff will help make you as comfortable as they can. It is important to stay still and breathe normally.
- The therapists will leave the treatment room and go to the control room. They will review the information from your treatment plan and take an image to make sure that your body is perfectly lined up. They will make any necessary adjustments at this time.
- The treatment usually takes 15-30 minutes, and most of the time is spent getting you into the correct position. The machine is usually on for less than 5 minutes, however you must remain still the entire time.
- The therapists will be watching you the entire time through a video monitor and they can stop the radiation at any time, if needed.
