Are you currently undergoing radiation treatment? If so, you
probably know that there is a whole team of radiation oncology professionals
involved in your care. But you may not know that one of those professionals is
a medical dosimetrist. This person
is responsible for designing a radiation treatment plan that maximizes the
radiation dose to your tumor site while minimizing the radiation to the
surrounding healthy tissue. Your medical dosimetrist works closely with your
radiation oncologist, your medical physicist and your radiation therapist to
create a plan that leads to the best possible outcome for you. Your medical
dosimetrist also follows your treatments closely in order to modify your plan
as the radiation is administered and your body starts to respond.
Next time you are in the clinic for treatment, ask to meet
your medical dosimetrist. Ask him or her to show you your treatment plan and
explain it to you. You’ll gain a better understanding of your treatment process
– not to mention insights into why the radiation treatment machine stops and
starts when it does. The medical dosimetrist plays a key role in your treatment
and ultimate recovery.
For more information about medical dosimetry, visit the
American Association of Medical Dosimetrists Website at www.medicaldosimetry.org (Under General Information, click on the “What
is a Medical Dosimetrist?” link).
The American
Association of Medical Dosimetrists (AAMD) is the professional society for
medical dosimetrists. AAMD promotes and supports the medical
dosimetry profession through education, forums of professional interaction and
a representative voice in the healthcare community. With more than 2,800
members worldwide, AAMD seeks to promote an ideal of professional conduct to
which its members should aspire and endorses the highest standards of patient
care. For more information about AAMD, visit www.medicaldosimetry.org.
Elyn
~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~
Elyn Jacobs is
a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer coach, radio talk show host,
speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation.
Elyn is on the peer review board of the Natural Standard Database. Elyn
empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own
individual needs. She is passionate about helping others move forward into a
life of health and wellbeing. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two
young boys.
Facebook @Elyn
Jacobs Consulting
LinkedIn @Elyn
Jacobs
