Rise Up Against Cancer

1 in 3 women do not attend their cervical screening test.

But cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer in women globally and is both preventable, with the HPV vaccine, and treatable, but only if detected as early as possible through screening programs and tests.

Macmillan Cancer Support is an amazing resource that is able to answer a lot of the questions often asked by people when they feel hesitant about attending their screening appointments.

"A lack of knowledge creates fear. Seeking knowledge creates courage" - Candice Swanepoel

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-awareness/cervical-screening-awareness-week

Today is National Cancer Survivors Day. Today we celebrate not only life and the unbelievable strength that survivors of this disease demonstrate on a daily basis, but we also recognize how hard some of the prolonged challenges survivors face often in silence. Such as fear of recurrence, financial difficulties due to medical bills and absences from work, psychological scars and relationship breakdowns.

Cancer survivors remain our source of inspiration to do more and be better for them.

Tara Smith, a final-year radiotherapy student from Suffolk University (UK), spent a week learning about upright radiation therapy at Leo Cancer Care. What did she think of our radical approach? Read her blog. https://obi41.nl/2p9c7fk4

Today is Innovation Day, created to bring attention to those willing to push the envelope and believe in the impossible. All it takes is creativity, determination, and grit. At RUAC, we believe in innovation! https://obi41.nl/38fytkn7

At Rise Up Against Cancer, we wish a Happy Valentine's Day to every healthcare professional who has given their heart to their profession. And to every patient who has benefited from your sacrifices. Here's to making radiotherapy more human! https://obi41.nl/38fytkn7

Innovation through simplification? Instead of making technology bigger, more complex, and more expensive, we believe we are entering a new era where cancer care can be simplified with upright radiation therapy. https://obi41.nl/3xtume57

Why did you choose to be a radiation therapist? Good pay? A variety of work environments to choose from? Working with both amazing technology and people? It's the best of all worlds! What were YOUR reasons? Tell us! https://obi41.nl/3vmfk3b9

Xploro, a clinically-validated patient education platform, has an app to augment reality, gameplay, and artificial intelligence to deliver health information to young patients as they prepare for treatment for conditions such as cancer. https://obi41.nl/3vmfk3b9

What causes cancer cells to replicate and spread? Understanding the science behind how abnormal cell replication works could point to new cancer treatments and better outcomes for patients. https://obi41.nl/3vmfk3b9

This coming Sunday, February 4th, is World Cancer Day. Rise Up Against Cancer asks for medical professionals and patients everywhere to join us. We CAN make cancer treatment More Human. We CAN RISE UP AGAINST CANCER! https://obi41.nl/45a4krad

A recently published paper shows that treating prostate patients upright with radiation therapy appears to hold “promising” advantages. The bladder may not need to be filled at all, which would be a huge benefit for patients. https://obi41.nl/3ubb6t4r

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is captivating the radiation oncology world with the ability to treat tumors in shorter fractionations and fewer side effects, improving patient throughput and patient experience. https://obi41.nl/4rn8phk7

Stephanie Angell, B.S., R.T.(T) from McLaren Flint Proton Therapy Center is excited about the future of upright radiotherapy. Patients can breathe easier, are more comfortable, and can enter/exit the system with less effort. https://obi41.nl/2ex2fj6y

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. The goal of cervical cancer screening—Pap tests and HPV tests—is to find problems, like cell changes, so they can be treated before they turn into cancer. https://obi41.nl/45a4krad

Being an RT is physically taxing and stressful, especially when positioning patients lying flat. However, what if your patient could walk in, sit down, stand up, and walk out again? With upright radiation therapy, it's possible! https://obi41.nl/2p978j6w

Musculoskeletal disorders in radiographers are the 2nd most common workplace-related illness in the UK. What if a patient is positioned upright? Positioning is reduced, patients are helped, and RTs' muscles may be saved. https://obi41.nl/2p8jcmf6

FLASH-RT is a revolutionary technique delivering ultra-high dose-rate radiation to cancerous tumors. While reducing radiation-induced toxicity in healthy tissues and maintaining anti-cancer side effects, FLASH-RT is changing the game! https://obi41.nl/3vmfk3b9

Information & Support Radiographers provide patients and caregivers with a confidential setting for patients to discuss any concerns or questions they may have about their radiotherapy treatment. This role is vital to ensure the best outcomes. https://obi41.nl/2p8kux4w

Radiation therapists: how would it feel working with patients sitting upright? We believe communication will be stronger, creating a sense of teamwork and camaraderie rather than a therapist simply treating a patient. https://obi41.nl/2p978j6w

Will patients feel claustrophobic if seated upright for radiation therapy? We believe patients will feel more connected, more comfortable, and more empowered when seated upright, reducing anxiety, stress, and fear. https://obi41.nl/2p94p9ya

Rad Chat is an award-winning oncology podcast led by therapeutic radiographers Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara. Leo Cancer Care's Kate Yip and Jemma Nunn were guests discussing upright radiation therapy. Check out: https://obi41.nl/2p8p2zxw

With upright radiation therapy, patient positioning creates less physical exertion for RTs. Patients can position themselves more easily in and out of the system, much like they would a chair at home. https://obi41.nl/2p8jcmf6

Radiation Therapists (RTs) play a vital role in guiding patients through treatment. Besides technical skills, building a strong RT-patient relationship takes time, excellent communication skills, and compassion. https://obi41.nl/38fytkn7

Radiation therapy is highly effective at killing the majority of cancer cells inside a tumor. It may be the only treatment needed for small tumors and early-stage cancers. It kills isolated cancer cells undetected by surgery. https://obi41.nl/38fytkn7

Medical physicists are specialists who work in clinical service, research and development, and teaching. In radiation oncology, they plan radiation treatments for cancer patients using external radiation beams or internal radioactive sources. https://obi41.nl/38fytkn7

As the world population ages, radiation therapists will be more valued than ever. These positions are patient-focused and technologically advancing. With upright radiation therapy, the future is near! https://obi41.nl/38fytkn7

Radiation therapists spend much of their time with patients, ensuring they are steady & balanced. Lying down and then getting up again after treatment can cause dizziness, yet with upright therapy, the game changes for the better. https://obi41.nl/38fytkn7

Is cancer hereditary? Cancer itself cannot be passed from parent to child, but if there is a cancer-causing genetic mutation in a parent's egg or s***m cells, it can be inherited by their child. Read more at https://obi41.nl/2p8kux4w

For many cancer patients and caregivers, the holidays may have been difficult to endure as they deal with new life norms. Traditions of past holidays might have been adjusted or even set aside. Stay in close touch as much as you can. https://obi41.nl/38fytkn7

How do cancer drugs work? Chemo works by slowing down or stopping the growth of cancer cells that tend to divide and grow rapidly. The two main objectives are to treat the cancer and ease cancer symptoms. Read more here: https://obi41.nl/2p8kux4w