radiotherapy centre - Radiotherapy Oncology at Theageniο Hospital

What Is Radiotherapy Prehabilitation & What Does It Entail?

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Treating a brain tumour is a comprehensive process for which success is based on the primary treatment pathway at a radiotherapy centre, as well as the work of the multidisciplinary team before, during and after a course of treatment.

The role of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), is not only to shape the primary treatment and provide clear, comprehensive options for managing a brain condition, taking into account the wishes of the individual, health needs and the potential for progression, but also to manage the preparation for treatment.

This process, known as preoperative rehabilitation or prehabilitation, is about maximising the time spent from the initial diagnosis to the first course of treatment in order to ensure that people are ready for treatment, experience as little discomfort as possible during it and recover as quickly as possible after it.

As with radiotherapy treatments, prehabilitation programmes are tailored for each individual based on a particular set of goals, which means that each one will have a different focus and involve a range of experts.

However, here are some of the core principles behind prehabilitation.

Helping Maintain Physical Health

There is a connection between physical activity and successful treatment outcomes, both for cancerous brain tumours and other conditions that may require radiosurgical intervention.

Energy levels are a key part of recovery, as the body will use more energy during treatment to recover from radiotherapy sessions. Regular physical activity provides more energy, which translates to a better quality of life before, during and after treatment.

An MDT will assist in a multitude of different ways, most commonly through physiotherapists.

A physiotherapist will create a targeted workout routine that is tailored to a person’s ability, energy levels and fitness needs, consisting of stretches, walks and other gentle forms of exercise that it is safe for them to undertake.

Maintain Nutrition

Another aspect of physical health is nutrition, and a dietitian is available to help provide a range of targeted interventions that could improve a person’s quality of life before and during treatment, as well as reduce recovery times.

In some cases, it is a matter of establishing a meal plan of affordable, easy-to-prepare and easy-to-eat meals that provide the body with the sustenance and energy it needs whilst recovering from radiotherapy.

It also is important to maintain variety and to eat delicious meals during this time, as appetite can sometimes be affected during treatment and not eating enough can exacerbate the fatigue that can happen during the recovery process.

In some cases, they can help signpost support such as “meals on wheels” schemes that could provide nutritious meals that are pre-prepared or require minimal preparation.

Whilst less common with brain cancer treatment, a dietitian can help with advanced dietary needs such as the installation of a feeding tube to help meet more complex needs.

Encouraging Lifestyle Changes

In some cases, a major component of prehabilitation is encouraging lifestyle adjustments that can assist radiotherapy treatments and significantly improve a person’s quality of life.

If someone is a regular smoker, they will likely be advised to quit during the course of the treatment, as smoking can have multiple negative effects on the brain as well as the heart, lungs and throat.

A member of MDT will be involved in this process and provide support and proven, effective interventions to ensure that a person can quit responsibly and stay quit. In other cases, they may signpost other appropriate stop-smoking services.

As well as this, it will be advised to minimise the consumption of alcohol during the treatment to within the 14 units per week recommended guidelines, spread out over at least three days and incorporating multiple alcohol-free days a week.

Mental Health Support

Physical health and mental health are interconnected, and both are linked to treatment outcomes, which means that an MDT will include a counsellor or psychologist to assist with any mental health needs.

This will include any existing psychologist or psychiatrist a person is seeing, as managing the mental effects of diagnosis is an important part of shaping recovery. They can also help provide continuity of care and ensure that any medication taken as part of radiotherapy treatments will not interfere with mental health medication.

Mental health support is not limited to people who are currently seeing a psychologist; the stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue can affect anyone who has been diagnosed, and a professional is always on hand to talk to throughout a person’s treatment and reassure them of what they can expect from their treatment pathway.

Private radiotherapy - Meningioma concept

An Overview Of Meningiomas And How They Are Treated

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There are many conditions for which people seek private radiotherapy, but tumours are among the most serious. However, the degree of severity and the symptoms they produce can depend on a wide range of factors.

Among these are, chiefly, whether they are benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), but other factors will include the location of origin, which may indicate a more or less aggressive tumour and determine what kind of surgical or radiotherapy options offer the best potential outcomes for patients.

Meningiomas Defined

Among the many different kinds of tumours are meningiomas. These arise in membranes called the meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord. It is in these membranes that the viral infection meningitis is found. However, meningiomas are not connected to meningitis; they simply affect the same area.

Because they are adjacent to the brain but not actually in it, they are not classified as brain tumours. However, meningiomas share with brain tumours the effect of frequently pressing on the brain, nerves or vessels, which can cause a wide range of significant symptoms that require medical intervention to address.

Meningiomas are the most common form of tumour found in the head, accounting for over a quarter of cases, and they are often asymptomatic for many years, partly because they are not aggressive and seldom malignant but grow slowly. They can occur at any age and in both sexes, but the demographic balance tilts towards women and older patients.

Common Symptoms

However, over time, a meningioma can grow to the point where it starts producing symptoms. Although they can occasionally pressure the spine, most will affect the brain and some common symptoms can include impaired sensory functions, such as a loss of hearing, tinnitus symptoms, reduced sense of smell, or blurred vision.

Other common symptoms include a loss of memory, impaired speech, arm or leg weakness or bad headaches, especially in the morning.

Many of these are symptoms that may be associated with entirely different conditions; for instance, tinnitus can have several possible causes. However, the best course of action is always to see a GP and undergo tests to establish the nature of the problem. This will not usually be an emergency case, except if seizures or sudden memory loss are present.

Diagnosis And Classification

Diagnosis is established through CT or MRI scans. The latter can also determine what grade of meningioma it is. In many cases, because they are often asymptomatic, meningiomas are diagnosed during scans carried out for other reasons.

Grade 1 meningiomas are the most common, benign and slow growing, while grade 2 tumours have a far greater chance of returning after surgery. Grade 3 tumours – anaplastic meningiomas – are the most serious, as they are malignant and fast-growing. However, while meningiomas are the most common head tumour, grade 3 meningiomas are very rare.

Treatment Options

These grades will determine the treatment. Asymptomatic tumours may be kept under observation unless or until any symptoms emerge.

If the tumour does need treating, surgery is commonly used, but radiotherapy can sometimes be deployed as the primary treatment. Adjuvant radiation can often be given to supplement other treatment for grade 1 and 2 lesions. If a Grade 3 tumour is present, radiotherapy will be provided as standard.

Surgery itself can impact the pathological diagnosis, which means it will reveal data that can be used to determine what level of radiotherapy treatment might be needed in addition to any already given.

In a grade 1 tumour, it may be that you don’t need future treatment and this may also be the case with a grade 2 tumour, although in either case, further monitoring will be required to check for future recurrences. The chances of a recurrence are more than twice as high in a grade 2 case compared to grade 1.

Recurrence Rates

A study in the US carried out between 2009 and 2013 indicated that the rate of recurrence within five years was between seven and 23 per cent for grade 1 tumours, between 50 and 55 per cent for grade 2 and 72-78 per cent for grade 3.

There are different reasons for recurrence, with tumours that cannot be fully removed surgically being more likely to recur. If they are fully removed, the average chances of recurrence are between one in three and one in four. Other causes can include genetic mutations.

If you come for private treatment after a diagnosis, our expert team will help guide you through the treatment options and procedures. Because the overwhelming majority of meningiomas are benign, the aim will be to reduce the size of the tumour through radiotherapy, surgery or a combination of both to relieve symptoms.

radiotherapy centre - daughter supporting her sick mother

What Aftercare Is Available For You Following Radiotherapy?

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Treatment at a radiotherapy centre does not start nor end with the radiosurgical procedures themselves, but is instead part of a complete, holistic package of care.

Radiotherapists work as part of a multidisciplinary team in planning treatments, physiotherapists, nutritional experts and psychologists are there to help during the preparation for a course of radiotherapy, and aftercare is similarly important following the completion of treatment.

This does not only include follow-ups, active monitoring and managing the lingering effects of the tumour and the treatment to remove it but can also include rehabilitation processes that ensure that recovery is as effective and long-lasting as possible.

Here are some of the stages of aftercare available following a course of radiotherapy treatment.

Follow-Up Appointments

The most direct form of aftercare is in the form of follow-up appointments, which are regular meetings with the lead doctor of your brain tumour treatment.

These appointments will vary considerably in terms of duration and frequency, with the first follow-up often taking place after a course of radiotherapy has been completed in order to provide a full assessment of its progress.

They can be undertaken either in-person at the clinic, via a phone call or on a video conferencing tool depending on a person’s preferences and whether there is a need for tests or scans. Experts, doctors and nurses will be available between appointments to discuss any concerns or new symptoms.

Typically, follow-up appointments take place every few weeks, may include scans, X-rays and occasionally blood tests depending on the type of brain tumour, as well as the opportunity to discuss symptoms.

Self-Management

Some people prefer to have a less hands-on form of aftercare, particularly following the first few months, and this is where supported self-management becomes an option. Follow-up tests and scans will continue to be arranged and undertaken in person as and when required.

This involves regular telephone appointments from the MDT, the option for regular contact if required and information on symptoms to be mindful of, invitations to courses on self-management as well as advice on support in a person’s local area.

Some people prefer a more independent approach as a way of reestablishing control of one’s health, but there are a wide range of options available to access support when it is needed.

Establishing A Recovery And Rehabilitation Routine

Nutrition and physical activity is essential before, during and after treatment for a brain tumour, as it can aid significantly in recovery, and establishing an individually tailored recovery routine is an early and essential part of planning.

A physiotherapist in an MDT will help to establish a schedule for recovery, which may include in-person training sessions, a recommended exercise routine or a combination of both.

This routine will take into account current levels of recovery, energy levels and if there are some complications which make certain exercises less advisable such as peripheral neuropathy or temporary effects to the immune system.

This routine will be based on best practices, as well as the types of exercise activities an individual enjoys, as the best routine for recovery is the one that is most likely to be followed.

It will be flexible and take into account that certain days will need to prioritise rest as a form of recovery rather than physical rehabilitation.

Nutrition Changes

Similar to exercise, changes to a diet can assist in the recovery process or help to manage symptoms, and a nutritional expert will typically be part of an MDT in order to facilitate this.

In some cases, a recovery diet following a brain tumour will simply consist of a balanced diet, one that is often a part of prehabilitation as it pertains to treatment and will benefit almost anyone regardless of treatment progression.

For other people, there may need to be a more strictly tailored diet following treatment to help manage symptoms.

For example, if someone loses weight following a course of radiotherapy, they may be recommended a healthy high-calorie diet initially to ensure they are getting the nutrition they need. This is sometimes known as a building-up diet.

Psychological Aftercare

The multidisciplinary team will do everything they can to ensure that treatment is undertaken as efficiently and as comfortably as possible, but there can be questions and psychological effects that occur that are related to the end of treatment and the recovery process.

Part of this is the result of the end of the structure that comes from regular appointments, and another part comes from the transition from focusing on managing the treatment itself.

A counsellor or psychologist is a common part of many MDTs to provide a safe place to discuss mental health, and they can also direct you to local support groups that allow people to share their experiences.

Radiotherapy treatment - doctor with human Brain anatomy model

What Are The Tell-Tale Brain Tumour Symptoms And Signs?

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The impact that radiotherapy treatment can have on brain tumours can be transformational for patients. In malignant (cancerous) treatments they can extend life considerably, especially if the diagnosis is an early one, while in the best cases, benign (non-cancerous) tumours may be either rendered almost harmless or removed altogether.

Radiotherapy may in some cases be carried out alongside other treatments such as chemotherapy and invasive surgery, but first, a diagnosis is required; some patients can have brain tumours for considerable lengths of time without realising it.

When Symptoms Appear

It is possible in some cases to have a brain tumour while remaining asymptomatic for a long time. This is often because the tumour is growing very slowly, so there is no noticeable deterioration in health or any kind of brain or body function. In benign tumours, this can be especially the case, as they are often very slow-growing.

However, this does not mean patients will never experience symptoms. Rather, it means they will harbour tumours for longer before the signs start to appear.

The upside of this situation is that slow-growing tumours are by nature easier to treat and manage, whereas, by contrast, fast-growing, aggressive and cancerous tumours like glioblastomas are incurable and need more powerful treatment responses.

Whether a tumour is growing rapidly or slowly, is malignant or benign, there will come a point where signs start to appear. Recognising these is the key to diagnosis and to accessing treatment, which can also help tackle some of the symptoms that will begin to impact on the quality of life of the patient.

This will occur chiefly because the growth of the tumour will eventually cause it to press upon the brain, at which point symptoms will start to appear.

Neurological Signs

A progressive neurological disorder is the most obvious sign. This involves a gradual degeneration of brain function and involves a deterioration of core functions such as communication and memory, as well as sometimes leading to personality changes.

It is important to note that progressive neurological disorders represent a broad medical category and they can arise from other causes, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. However, it is often caused by a brain tumour, for example, impeding speech by pressing on the areas of the brain most associated with communication.

The area of the brain that controls speech is usually found on the left side of the brain, although it can be on the right for a minority of left-handed people.

Why Headaches May Be A Sign

Severe headaches can also be caused by tumours. However, this does not mean that most patients who suffer from persistent headaches have a tumour, as there are many other potential causes, such as dehydration, another illness, a sinus infection or susceptibility to migraines.

Nonetheless, around half of tumour patients reported headaches as one of the symptoms that indicated something was wrong.

This means the appropriate response for the patient suffering from persistent headaches is to see a doctor. In the vast majority of cases, it will not be a tumour, but if it is, this will be the first sign that will lead to a diagnosis.  If it is not, the doctor may be able to identify another cause and establish how the problem can be treated.

Another common sign of a tumour is a deterioration in some motor functions. For example, a patient may find muscle weakness or sight impairment. If this happens on only one sign of the body, that may be a tell-tale sign that a tumour is starting to impact on one side of the brain.

Seizures are another problem that can arise. This can include full convulsive fits, but it may also manifest in milder symptoms such as muscle twitches. A further common symptom is vomiting and nausea.

Seeking A Diagnosis

The above symptoms often accompany headaches, but once again it should be emphasised that this is not necessarily the result of a tumour and, like the headaches, may arise from other causes. Nonetheless, patients need to seek medical attention. If the problems are only visual, you should see your optician first.

Since these signs are only indicators that something is wrong, but not necessarily that a tumour is present, patients should discuss them thoroughly with a medical professional. A referral for scans can help identify if a tumour is present and further tests will help establish its characteristics, most importantly whether it is benign or malignant.

The sooner a tumour is diagnosed, the faster treatment can begin. As radiotherapy has the primary effect of shrinking a tumour, it follows that the larger the tumour is, the more it needs to shrink to ease the symptoms. Moreover, treating a malignant tumour earlier gives the cancer less opportunity to spread, helping extend or even save a life.

radiotherapy centre - Hand holding Gray ribbon

What Are The Goals Of Brain Tumour Awareness Month 2025?

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March is one of the most important months of the year for radiotherapy centres which specialise in treatments such as Gamma Knife, as Brain Tumour Awareness Month focuses on doing everything possible to prevent, treat and diagnose brain tumours.

Initially launched in 2004 as a collective effort by several brain tumour charities later known as Brain Tumour Research, Brain Tumour Awareness Month has become an essential part of the work of many organisations that diagnose and treat brain conditions.

Starting with shining a light on the first Monday of the month and ending with Wear A Hat Day on the last Friday, Brain Tumour Awareness Month generates a lot of attention around forward its major central goals.

Earlier Diagnoses

The stated aim of Brain Tumour Awareness Month is to raise awareness of the early warning signs and symptoms that can sometimes be missed due to having multiple potential causes and a lack of specificity.

Headaches, nausea and vision changes that do not appear to improve should be checked as as soon as possible to rule out a tumour as a potential cause or make the transition from diagnosis to treatment as soon as a tumour is confirmed.

Quicker diagnosis allows for less invasive treatments and improved quality of life, so raising awareness is vital not only in the abstract but is connected to treatment outcomes.

The pink and yellow colour scheme and grey ribbons are an essential part of this work, as the more people are aware, the greater the chance they will be diagnosed early and be able to undergo treatment straight away, similar to breast cancer and prostate cancer awareness campaigns.

Improve Access To Treatment

Supporting organisations, clinics and individuals seeking treatment for brain tumours is a core part of the fundraising efforts of Brain Tumour Awareness Month, as it enhances the scope for potential treatments and ensures that people can get the treatment they need as soon as they can be treated.

Part of this is through funding drives to directly help individuals affected by and living with brain tumours, but another part of this work is campaigning for greater access and funding from central governments to increase access to treatments in line with other cancer types.

One particularly effective treatment option for brain tumours is Gamma Knife radiosurgery, where radiation therapy is precisely targeted at cancerous cells to treat a range of different conditions.

No surgical incisions are required for the treatment, with multiple converging beams of gamma radiation used instead to deliver highly focused doses to target areas within the brain.

The main benefit of this treatment plan is that maximal radiation doses are delivered precisely to the target while minimising exposure to surrounding healthy brain tissue. This, in turn, reduces the risk of radiation-related side-effects.

Provide Support

Brain Tumour Awareness Month begins with lighting a candle on 1st March, before ending with Wear A Hat Day on Friday 28th March. The first Monday of March, which this year was Monday 3rd March, featured a minute of silence observed by charities, specialists, celebrities and anyone who wished to remember those affected by brain tumours.

Outside of a demonstration of support and a clear statement to anyone undergoing treatment that they are not facing cancer alone, Brain Tumour Awareness Month also provides support to individuals, clinics and research bodies which help to excise tumours and provide minimally invasive, effective treatment.

Further Research

Precision stereotactic radiosurgery was the result of over half a century of research into radiation and the brain leading to its first experimental treatments in the 1950s, and ever since then, cutting-edge research has been one of the most important tools to help treat a widening group of tumours.

Tools such as proton beam therapy, improvements in diagnostic technology and the development of machine learning and artificial intelligence to assist with both the discovery and treatment of tumours are actively being researched, but the path from discovery to active treatment is expensive.

The goal of Brain Tumour Research is to find a cure for all types of tumours and growths which affect the brain. This requires an approach which spans the complete treatment pathway from a greater understanding of potential symptoms, diagnostics, radiotherapy, medication, recovery and prevention.

According to Brain Tumour Research, one per cent of the money spent each year on cancer research goes towards brain tumour research, and Brain Tumour Awareness Month helps to fund continuous research in a wide range of areas related to brain tumour treatment.

Raise Awareness Of Prevention And Recovery Steps

Whilst there is a wide range of risk factors for brain tumours, many of which are outside of people’s control, there are some lifestyle habits that researchers have been able to confirm that affect the risk of contracting certain types of cancers.

More generally, this includes diet, physical activity, smoking, drinking alcohol and maintaining a healthy weight, but research is being undertaken to ensure that people know which parts of their lifestyle could increase or decrease their risk of brain tumours.

As well as this, it can also help with recovery from treatment, through targeted support, exercise and dietary changes focused on nutrition.

Radiotherapy Treatment - MRI Scan

What’s Next For Gamma Knife Radiosurgery & AI Technology?

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One of the most effective and advanced treatment resources for brain tumours and vascular malformations is Gamma Knife radiosurgery, which first came to the fore during the 1960s and which has continued to evolve quickly ever since.

With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) over the last year or so, new and exciting opportunities are starting to emerge… some of which have just been published in the spring edition of SCOPE magazine, with contributions from our own clinical team, including Ian Paddick (consultant physicist at Queen Square) and Hannah Bouas (radiosurgery physicist at Thornbury Radiosurgery Centre).

The focus here is on AI-driven auto-contouring for tumour segmentation, achieving greater levels of precision and more consistent patient outcomes in stereotactic radiosurgery.

Read on to find out more about the key conclusions drawn in the Scope piece.

AI-driven auto-contouring for advanced precision

AI-driven auto-contouring for tumour segmentation is a significant breakthrough in Gamma Knife technology, moving away from manual processes that are time consuming and subject to risks posed by human interpretation, particularly in lesions and tumours that don’t have clearly defined boundaries.

Using AI frameworks allow clinicians to segment tumour boundaries with the equivalent accuracy to human annotators, the advantages of which include:

– Reduced human error: Consistency is achieved through AI automation, lowering the risk of inaccurate results while reducing variability and oversights significantly.

– Enhanced patient outcomes: AI tools ensure greater accuracy of tumour segmentation, resulting in more precise radiation delivery to tumour cells and reducing damage risks to healthy brain tissue, as well as reducing the risks of complications and side-effects.

– Efficiency gains: Automation allows for more efficient contour detection in much shorter timescales, thus allowing for faster overall treatment times and reduced waiting lists.

Potential limitations of AI

Although the Scope article does note that AI is an incredibly valuable tool, models for auto-contouring still have some limitations, such as incomplete training data that may not generalise across diverse populations, or imaging noise that results in false positives.

While AI will undoubtedly become more important as a resource in the future, for now clinical oversight and judgement of contouring processes will still be necessary, particularly for more complex cases such as brain metastases.

Amethyst Radiotherapy France To Appear On Check-Up Santé

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Acclaimed French television show Check-Up Santé on BFM TV , which focuses on health information and regularly invites medical experts onto the stage to discuss important topics of the day, has asked Olivier Cosset, CEO of Amethyst Radiothérapie France, to appear as a guest on Saturday, 22nd February and Sunday 23rd February.

Mr Cossett will be on the BFM TV flagship health programme talking in depth about the latest innovations in radiotherapy and the increasingly important role the practice has to play in modern cancer treatment, delivering insights into how it is evolving to make cancer treatment more effective and accessible.

“Radiotherapy is undergoing a true revolution, with advancements that are making treatments more precise, efficient, and accessible to more patients than ever before. At Amethyst Radiothérapie France, we are committed to bringing the latest innovations in radiotherapy to improve patient care and outcomes. I look forward to discussing these exciting developments on Check-Up Santé with Fabien Guez and shedding light on how radiotherapy is shaping the future of cancer treatment.”

– Olivier Cosset, CEO of Amethyst Radiothérapie France

Amethyst Radiothépie is one of the biggest private providers of radiotherapy services in France, providing cutting-edge treatments to enhance the patient journey and improve health outcomes across the board.

The episode is due to air on 22nd February at 14:00 EST and Sunday 23rd February at 15:00 EST on BFM TV. Make sure you tune in to hear a truly fascinating discussion on radiotherapy innovation and what the future of cancer care will look like.

Also featuring on the show will be Professor Jean-Emmanuel Bibault, who will be talking about the long history of cancer (which dates all the way back to prehistoric times), just one of the points raised in his book Cancer Confidential: L’histoire du cancer, des secrets d’hier aux revolutions de demain.

radiotherapy centre

Understanding The Use Of Radiation In Cancer Treatment

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For anybody needing radiotherapy, the prospect can be daunting and includes a lot of uncertainty. Some of that will centre on the prognosis and be based on a lack of detailed knowledge of the nature of your condition. However, in the course of your treatment at our radiotherapy centre you will receive plenty of information about this.

Allied to this will be uncertainty about the use of radiotherapy. The fact it involves radiation may be unnerving for some, since radioactivity is usually perceived as a harmful thing. For this reason, you will receive lots of information about what is involved, how treatment is delivered and how it will benefit you as a patient.

Understanding Radiation

The first thing to understand about radiation is that it is everywhere. Background radiation is naturally present in the environment, we get some from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, and we are exposed to it at low levels from some electrical devices.

It is even naturally present in some foods, such as bananas with their high potassium content.

This fact has even led to the establishment of the ‘Banana Equivalent Dose’ measurement of radiation, which is extremely low compared to dangerous doses (such as those associated with nuclear accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima), but helps provide an example of how safe the levels of radiation exposure are in most cases.

Understood correctly, radiation is like many other things in only being harmful in large quantities. A good example of this would be salt, which is important for our health in low quantities, but in large amounts can cause health problems (especially in the liver).

Radiation And Radiotherapy

This may leave you wondering about just how much radiation is involved in radiotherapy. As a banana equivalent dose, it is undoubtedly high, much more so than other medical procedures and scans you might have.

For instance, the radiation exposure of a dental X-ray is the equivalent of the radiation contained in two bananas. A chest X-ray may be as high as 1,000, a mammogram will be 20,000 and a chest CT scan is much higher still at 70,000.

The level of radiation that would prove fatal within a fortnight is vastly higher than this, at 100,000. This is five times as high as the dose of radiation you will receive in targeted radiotherapy.

If that still sounds like a very high dose, it is, but it is also why radiotherapy is given in limited doses and targeted specifically at the area affected by cancer. This means that a tumour can be shrunk by the radiation damaging its cell DNA, preventing it from repairing cells which consequently die.

However, such exposure can also damage surrounding healthy tissue, which is what causes the various side effects of radiotherapy. This is why your oncologist will explain these to you so you know what to expect and how to cope. Side effects can include hair loss, a loss of appetite, gastric problems and fatigue, so it is important to be prepared.

Some effects can be long-lasting and affect you long after the treatment has concluded, such as your skin looking or feeling different, hair not growing back as well, and, most significantly, infertility in cases where abdominal doses of radiation were given. However, most symptoms will soon fade away.

The Importance Of Precision

To minimise these symptoms, your treatment will be delivered with great precision, using the latest technology. Although radiotherapy has been used in cancer treatment since the turn of the 20th century, it has been refined considerably down the years, partly due to growing scientific understanding of radiation and, latterly, more precise tools.

What this does is enable the dose of cancer cell-damaging radiation to be aimed exactly where it needs to be, with little or no damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Several devices have been designed to do this in different ways, depending on what kind of cancer it is and where it is located.

For example, the invention of the gamma knife in the 1960s provided an instrument that could provide particularly precise beams of intense radiation.

This made it ideal for use in treating brain tumours, providing a method of shrinking them without the need for invasive surgery (although, in practice, there will be instances where both methods will be used during treatment).

Staying Informed

If you are a patient with us, we will provide you with extensive information about what radiotherapy involves, both in general terms and regarding the specific form of treatment that is best suited to your circumstances.

This will ensure that you can play a part in decision-making about your treatment and that you go into every session fully aware of everything that is going on, giving you confidence and assurance in the treatment you receive.

radiotherapy

Can You Exercise While Undergoing Treatment For Cancer?

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The treatment pathway for cancer once diagnosed will focus on the treatments, medications, radiotherapy and other specialist care that will provide the best possible outcomes, but cancer care does not begin nor does it end with primary treatment.

Maintaining your physical and mental health is vital for treatments to be successful, and whilst exercise and physical activity are essential throughout your life and can in some cases help reduce or remove certain risk factors for cancer according to Cancer Research UK, it also has many benefits during treatment.

A common question that oncologists are asked is about the level of exercise that is advised or recommended for people undergoing cancer treatment.

This is a somewhat more difficult question to answer as whilst exercise is safe and often can help relieve certain symptoms of treatment, every case is different and an exercise plan needs to work with the body.

Your oncologist or a specialist nurse can give you tailored advice, but here are some answers to some general questions when it comes to cancer treatment.

How Much Exercise Should You Do?

Everyone has different levels of activity which work best for them, and the golden rule of exercise is that any physical activity you do will contribute to improved health.

The answer will vary considerably depending on the type of treatment you are receiving, your general level of fitness and any health complications.

Whilst the NHS advice when it comes to fitness is to aim for 150 minutes of physical activity a week, any amount of physical activity will make a difference.

The more exercise you are able to do, the better, but listen to your body as well.

Do You Need To Be Consistent?

The NHS advice is often treated as a consistent target to hit and that you must do 21 minutes of exercise every day, which is not always necessarily feasible. Anyone undergoing long-term treatment will have days when they have more energy than others.

Start with gentle exercise in relatively short bursts, listening to your body in the process to know when to stop.

You do not need to be consistently meeting or breaking personal targets each and every day but try to do something active if you can at all, even if it is a short walk around the house or around the block.

The benefits of consistently being active will be felt as you continue to exercise. As you exercise more, the more you will build yourself up to longer and more intense workouts going forward.

Which Types Of Exercises Are Best?

Your specialist team will be able to provide specific advice, but the best exercises are those that you enjoy and that you feel you can do consistently. Many people will be prescribed physiotherapy specifically to get themselves started, but most gentle exercises can be undertaken by anyone undergoing cancer treatment.

The best exercises are those that push your body but not so much as to risk injury. Whilst more vigorous exercise will provide greater benefits, overtraining or training when you are sore or stiff can be counterproductive.

You could, for example, engage in pursuits such as walking, gentle yoga, light strength training, or water aerobics, all of which you can tailor to suit your own fitness ability, range of motion and mobility. What is important is to listen to your body and pay attention to the cues it gives you so you don’t over-exert yourself.

Are There Any Exercises To Avoid?

There are some types of exercises which may need to be avoided depending on the type of treatment you are undertaking.

For example, people who are undergoing treatment for bone cancer should avoid exercises which might put a strain on the bones. Hydrotherapy and swimming are excellent exercises as they provide both support and gentle resistance, allowing people to exercise more than they otherwise would.

Alongside this, certain types of surgery require some rest before a return to a full exercise regime, although in most cases there will be exercises you can do to keep yourself active before you can return to your usual routine.

Some cancer treatments can affect the immune system, and if you are used to exercising in public gyms, you should ask your medical team when you can start exercising again in order to avoid the risk of infection.

Adjusting Exercise Based on Treatment Side Effects

In the specific case of radiotherapy treatment, if you have areas of sensitive skin, make sure to wear clothing that is both loose and gentle to avoid rubbing and irritation.

It is also worth asking your radiotherapy team about swimming, as some pools use chemical treatments that can irritate sensitive skin depending on what type of treatment you receive.

If you are struggling with balance, coordination, muscle strength or numbness, then an exercise bike or gentle hydrotherapy can be beneficial forms of exercise instead. A physiotherapist can also help you to regain your balance and avoid falling.

Amethyst Radiotherapy UK Appoints Sasha Burns as New CEO.

Amethyst Group appoints Sasha Burns as CEO of UK Operations

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Amethyst Group is pleased to welcome Sasha Burns as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UK Operations. With a strong background in healthcare leadership, strategic growth, and operational excellence, Sasha will play a key role in advancing Amethyst’s radiotherapy services and expanding access to world-class cancer treatment.

Bringing over 20 years of experience across both the NHS and independent sector, Sasha has a proven track record in transformational healthcare leadership. She previously held senior leadership roles at Alliance Medical, where she served as Chief Commercial and Operations Officer, and Nuffield Health, where she oversaw a network of hospitals and well-being centres. Her expertise spans business transformation, patient care innovation, and operational strategy.

With a background as a radiographer and an MBA from Henley Business School, Sasha combines clinical insight with strategic leadership, making her well-positioned to enhance Amethyst Group’s commitment to pioneering radiotherapy services.

“I am excited to join Amethyst Group and contribute to its mission of delivering innovative, high-quality radiotherapy care. As demand for advanced cancer treatments grows, I look forward to supporting the UK operations in expanding access and driving excellence,” said Sasha Burns.

Amethyst Group continues to strengthen its clinical expertise, patient-focused care, and cutting-edge radiotherapy technology across its European network. Sasha’s appointment reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation, growth, and leadership in oncology care.