Ringing in the end of treatment

Cancer survivors finishing radiation therapy will now be able to mark the end of their treatment by ringing an official bell which has been installed in the Cancer Therapy Centre at Liverpool Hospital.

Mrs Lynette Cassapi, Director Radiation Therapy Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, said ringing a bell at the end of treatment was a wide spread tradition around the world. “Being diagnosed with cancer is life changing and having to go through treatment is very challenging, not only physically but also emotionally,” Mrs Cassapi said. “Completing radiation therapy treatment is a monumental feat for patients, whether they have completed a course of five treatments or 39, reaching the end is a huge milestone in what often is the toughest time of their life.

“I am very pleased to welcome the bell to Liverpool Hospital Cancer Therapy Centre as it signifies not only the end of treatment but the beginning of the emotional healing process, and having people around who have supported them throughout their journey when they ring the bell is very rewarding for everyone,” she said. Dr Dion Forstner, Director Radiation Oncology Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres said that the intent of the bell ringing ceremony was also to help counter the more serious aspects of a busy hospital environment.

“On a normal day the Radiation Therapy Department can treat over 100 patients for different cancers such as breast, prostate, lung, head and neck as well as skin cancers,” said Dr Forstner. “The installation of the bell shows the commitment of the hospital not only to patient services and outcomes, but to the whole patient journey and experience,” he said.

Dr Forstner also said that radiation therapy is an important part of cancer treatment with evidence that one in two patients diagnosed with cancer can benefit from radiation therapy.

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