Radiation therapists ensure good vibes for patients

For many, the thought of undergoing cancer treatment—especially with advanced devices delivering radiation to tumors daily for several weeks—can be daunting. However, at Latrobe Regional Health (LRH), the care, compassion, and ability of the health professionals offer patients comfort and confidence during what can be a challenging time.

LRH and Alfred Health work in partnership to provide this outstanding service to the cancer patients of Gippsland.

Alfred Health Radiation Therapist Anastasia Coniglione and Radiation Therapy Planning Manager Dominic Davis are part of a team of more than 20 radiation therapists, plus doctors, nurses, physicists and administration staff that treated almost 1000 Gippslanders for cancer in 2023.

“Whenever I tell someone that I’m a radiation therapist and work in cancer care they say, ‘that must be depressing, that must be hard,’ because we work with people who are unwell. The reality is we’ll see people every day for four to six weeks and you build up a relationship with them and discover amazing things about their life. So, it’s a special position to be in,” Dominic said.

As a new graduate after four and a half years of study, including a master’s degree, Anastasia chose to begin her career at LRH due to her experience during a six-month placement and the department’s access to leading technology and involvement in research projects.

“We have a lot of great technology that mirrors what they have in Melbourne and we’re a really nice hub in terms of research. As a newly graduated radiation therapist I’m involved in a couple of research projects which provide an extra interest to the role alongside the patient care and the relationships we get to build with patients,” Anastasia said.

Dominic has seen first-hand the growth of regional cancer treatment options over his 20-year career, allowing more patients in areas like Gippsland to access top-tier treatments close to home.

“Prior to this centre being set up around 18 years ago, all the referral pathways were to Melbourne, either to Peter Mac or the Alfred. Now we have specialist consultants based here at LRH all the time and others in centres throughout regional Victoria.

“Advances in technology have allowed it to de-centralise which is great for the patients who can be coming for six or seven weeks of treatment. If they had to go to Melbourne, some people would just not have treatment that could save their lives,” Dominic said

Pictured: Radiation Therapy Planning Manager Dominic Davis and Alfred Health Radiation Therapist Anastasia Coniglione.