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

I was surprised how everyone I asked from ticket collectors to taxi drivers spoke about The Christie with a sense of pride and gratitude - Omer Aziz

Omer Aziz - consultant colorectal and laparoscopic surgeon at The Christie

Omer Aziz

Just over a year ago, I made the decision to leave London, a city where I had lived for 26 years, and move to Manchester with my family. This came about because of the opportunity to join the Colorectal and Peritoneal Oncology Centre at The Christie as a consultant colorectal surgeon. 

It was the kind of career move you can't plan for, largely because there isn't a job like this anywhere else in the country, and perhaps only a handful of jobs like it in the world.

I remember my first trip here from London, where I was surprised how everyone I asked from ticket collectors to taxi drivers spoke about The Christie with a sense of pride and gratitude. It was endearing to see how this institution has touched so many lives. 

The next thing that would come up in my conversations about Manchester was football, with people passionate about either the 'red' of United or 'blue' of City. Being a Liverpool fan meant I had to try to avoid getting drawn into that discussion!

At The Christie I have joined a team offering highly specialised cancer surgery, performing procedures such as Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) and advanced keyhole operations for cancer. CRS involves removing all visible tumours and is most commonly performed in cases of Pseudomyxoma Peritoneii (PMP), appendix cancers or colorectal cancers that have spread to the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum).  Once the tumours are removed, HIPEC is then inserted into the abdomen and circulated for about 90 minutes. This is a highly concentrated, heated chemotherapy treatment that unlike systemic chemotherapy (which circulates throughout the body), delivers chemotherapy directly to cancer cells in the abdomen. The solution is then drained from the abdomen and the incision is closed. The Christie is one of only two UK hospitals commissioned to do this type of surgery.

We work closely with plastic surgeons, urologists, and gynaecologists all specialising in cancer, which means we can perform complex cancer surgery involving multiple organs routinely. Through our radiology colleagues we have access to scanning resources and interventions that mean we can offer high quality opinions to our patients and second opinions to clinicians seeking our expertise.

But it is the simple attention to detail, teamwork, and treating patients with compassion that I think makes this the best hospital for cancer treatment that I have worked in. Visiting times are flexible on wards such as the critical care unit, which is so important to patients and their families. Once referred to The Christie colorectal and peritoneal service, patients are assigned a clinical nurse specialist and given a contact number to call if they have any questions and run into any problems. These nurses are experienced and offer reassurance as well as picking up any warning signs of potential problems. Today, a patient attended my clinic and told me that the thing she appreciated the most throughout her care here, was that her husband was called right after her operation was completed, to let him know she was ok. I have rarely seen this happen in other hospitals, yet it has been a standard practice amongst colorectal surgeons here.  While there are many ways we can improve, we have a strong platform on which to build - as long as our patients remain at the centre of what we do.

There was a really positive attitude amongst staff and patients and a real sense of pride to work at The Christie - Wesley Doherty

Wesley Doherty - Christie Radiographer

Wesley Doherty

I got into radiotherapy a bit later than most. I've always worked in healthcare and fancied a new challenge. Radiotherapy certainly provided that!

I completed the postgraduate diploma in radiotherapy at the University of Liverpool in 2014, having worked as an optometrist for 15 years. My previous degree allowed me to apply directly to the university for the postgraduate course, but there is also an undergraduate degree programme accessed through UCAS.

I've always liked the combination of the technical physics side of things combined with the biology and pathology from my previous career, and radiotherapy was a natural, if not obvious, progression.

Even though I am accustomed to dealing with difficult and upsetting news for patients and I talk a lot, which comes in very useful as a therapy radiographer, I was a bit worried about working in a cancer hospital. I wrongly assumed it would be a really difficult environment to work in.

I needn't have worried. On walking through the door on the first day I was met with an overwhelmingly friendly atmosphere. There was a really positive attitude amongst staff and patients and a real sense of pride to work at The Christie.

I felt part of the team from the very start. I was supported throughout my training from day one by staff members, mentors and clinical tutors. This support didn't end when I qualified and I was assigned a mentor under The Christie's preceptorship programme for staff new to the trust. This is something I would really have appreciated in my previous career! Since then I have been a mentor myself to two students, one each at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

There is a real emphasis on progression and delivering your best at The Christie. My team is made up of radiographers, senior radiographers, superintendents, specialist and lead grades with opportunities to progress to site-specific roles such as colorectal, breast, paediatric and prostate specialist radiographers.

Since qualifying last year I have spent time in pretreat, treatment prep and treatment delivery. There are regular professional development events to keep up to date in a rapidly developing and highly technical field. With the recent groundwork beginning on the upcoming high energy proton beam therapy centre (one of only 2 NHS facilities in the country) this opens a completely new avenue of opportunities to pursue in the future.

In the past year, I have been encouraged to get involved in helping to shape the culture of The Christie. In my role as a Christie commitment champion, I am part of a team of staff from across the whole organisation who attend meetings in London aimed at transforming the culture of The Christie and the NHS. I hope to continue progressing by applying for funding for my master's degree in the next couple of years.

Working with cancer patients is a privileged position. Every day is different. Every day is rewarding. Every day is filled with new thank you cards and a never ending supply of chocolates, cakes and other goodies. Every day I get to know the wonderful patients I see better and better. Every day I smile more than I have done in any other job, and every day I feel like I am doing something to make a big difference to the patients.

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