Do you need a referral for radiotherapy?

The referral often comes from a surgeon, medical oncologist or another specialist and includes the diagnosis, pathology, imaging and treatment history. Local booking routes differ, so the radiation oncology service can confirm what documentation it accepts.

Referral leads to a consultation rather than immediate radiation treatment. The radiation oncologist considers where the disease is, the aim of care, treatments already received, nearby healthy organs, your general health and whether another approach should be used instead or alongside radiotherapy.

If radiotherapy is recommended, a separate planning process maps the treatment area and selects how radiation will be delivered. Positioning aids, a planning scan and small skin marks may be used so the team can reproduce your position accurately at each visit.

Check that the referring clinician has sent pathology reports, scan images or reports, details of prior cancer treatment and your current medicines. At the consultation, describe implanted medical devices, previous radiation, pregnancy possibility, mobility needs and any difficulty lying still.

Request a written schedule once planning is complete and ask whom to call about side effects or missed appointments. Continue prescribed medicines unless the treatment team changes them, and avoid applying unapproved creams or dressings to the planned area.

Do not wait for a radiotherapy referral if you develop new leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, a seizure, severe breathing difficulty, uncontrolled bleeding or rapidly worsening confusion. These symptoms need urgent medical assessment. During treatment, contact the radiotherapy team promptly for an inability to drink, repeated vomiting, severe pain, fever or a marked skin reaction.

Ask about the goal of treatment, the area being treated, alternatives, likely side effects for that body region, preparation for each visit and follow-up. If transport, work or caregiving could disrupt attendance, raise this during planning so the team can explain available scheduling support.