As The Christie has played such an important part in developing radiography we are very proud to celebrate World Radiography Day - Rebekah Pearce

Rebekah Pearce - Christie Radiotherapist

Rebekah Pearce

World Radiography Day is celebrated on 8th November each year. Held annually, it provides an opportunity for radiographers worldwide to celebrate their profession, its importance within patient care, to promote the career to future students and increase public awareness of diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy.

So what is a radiographer and what do we do?

There are two different professions that share the umbrella term of ‘radiographer’ – diagnostic radiographer and a therapy radiographer. A diagnostic radiographer helps to diagnose any disease or condition and monitor internal changes. This is vital in diagnosing cancer and we have some very high tech facilities available at The Christie.

A diagnostic radiographer may use X-rays to look at bone anatomy assessment and cavity changes, to check if a bone is broken and if there are any foreign objects in the lung cavity; or they may use fluoroscopy to look at real-time images of the digestive system. Radiographers also use MRI and CT scans to build up two and three dimensional maps of body tissue; and angiography can be used to assess blood vessels. Ultrasound, most commonly used for checking the development of a baby during pregnancy, also has important applications at The Christie.

Therapeutic radiographers, or as they are better known, radiotherapists, work within the hospital oncology department. They use radiation to treat many different forms of cancer all around the body. This includes conventional External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) delivered by multi-beam treatments; brachytherapy where the radiation source is placed directly in the affected area; and stereotactic radiotherapy that allows small inoperable tumours to be treated in high dosages. 

For both types of radiographer, their knowledge base must include extensive understanding about the usage of high tech equipment, radiation dosages, pathology, anatomy and physiology of the human body. Moreover, the radiographer must have a caring personality. 

As The Christie has played such an important part in developing radiography over the years we are very proud to celebrate World Radiography Day and the vital work done by all radiographers around the world.

In 1901, The Christie was one of the first places to use X rays to treat cancer and in 1932 we developed the first international standards in radiation treatment – the Manchester Method. More recently, in 2002 we were the first place in the world to use image guided radiotherapy.

World Radiography Day is celebrated on 8 November to mark the anniversary of the discovery of x-radiation by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895. Wilhelm experimented with passing an electrical current through a low-pressured gas which culminated in discovering and producing an electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range now known as x-rays. 

He noticed that a number of objects could be penetrated by these rays, and that the projected image of his own hand showed a contrast between the opaque bones and the translucent flesh. This work resulted in him winning the Nobel Prize in physics.

He later used a photographic plate instead of a screen, and an image was captured. In this way, an extraordinary discovery had been made: that the internal structures of the body could be made visible without the necessity of surgery.

As World Radiography Day was on Sunday we decided to celebrate it in the hospital today with an information stand on display in the radiotherapy department with details about radiotherapy, how it works, how treatment is planned and examples of machinery.

Have you thought about a career as a therapy radiographer working in radiotherapy? If you are interested in finding out more details, please email RTEducation@christie.nhs.uk