Changing lanes

Can you tell us about your radiography experience? 

I am currently in my second year studying therapeutic radiography at the University of Suffolk (UoS) in Ipswich. My radiography experience has been an interesting one as I originally began studying diagnostic radiography in September 2020, but have since changed to the therapeutic degree. I have been lucky enough to experience two different placement sites: Norwich and Ipswich. As a second year I am currently planning my dissertation with the hopes of studying the ‘effectiveness of Queering (LGBTQ+) Cancer education in radiotherapy higher education’. Outside of university, but related to my degree, I am a committee member for UoS Rad Soc - my university’s radiography society, alongside being a Society of Radiographers Student Network member and eastern region student rep. As part of my degree, I am particularly looking forward to my elective placements this year as I am going to Tanzania through Work the World for a month, as well as visiting the Proton Beam Therapy department at University College London Hospitals and learning about the future of upright radiotherapy at the Leo Cancer Care in Surrey.

What made you want to become a radiographer? 

Originally, I wanted to become a Diagnostic Radiographer and it was not until I was at university and on placement that I realised I needed to change, as therapeutic was the right choice for me. I chose radiography originally as I have had many appointments within diagnostic radiography departments during my childhood, including CTs, MRIs, X-rays. Seeing the images, machines and speaking to radiographers myself sparked my interest into the subject. Alongside this, I always knew from a very young age that I wanted to work in healthcare and wanted a patient-heavy role with a varying mix of science and technology skills/ attributes – my favourite childhood fancy dress costume was always healthcare related, so I think it was destiny.

What, for you, are the best parts of being a radiography student? 

I really love the ratio of academia and placement – radiography degrees are vocational, so I spend most of my time on placement. This is great for me as I am a hands-on learner and really love patient and staff interactions. During my time as a student, I have come to realise that my passion within radiography is patient care (I would love to be a Macmillan Radiographer when qualified) and I have really enjoyed my time on placement as I am visibly able to make a difference in a patient’s treatment and sometimes even their life.

I think the best thing about therapeutic radiography is that I can see a patient from day one all the way through to the end of their treatment. The most moving time on placement was when I was able to see a patient at their consent appointment on day one, at their planning CT appointment and then nearly every day through treatment, as well as being with them on their last day and watching them ring the bell to mark the end of their treatment. 

What advice would you give to any students starting out on their radiography journey? 

I wish I was told to take more opportunities sooner than I did. I turned down a few opportunities in the early aspects of my student journey which I wish I had not. 

My main advice is to join the SoR as a student and become a rep as part of the student network – the doors and opportunities that this has opened for me are unbelievable. As part of my SoR journey I have been able to be a regional rep, Student Network committee member and co-lead of various working groups within the network, alongside being a student member on SoR advisory groups and even had a short stint as a student editorial board member for SoR’s Insight journal. 

Recently I have been able to become more involved within the SoR as a SoR eastern region student rep, alongside being one of the deputy delegate leads (DDL) for my region at this year’s SoR Annual Delegates’ Conference (ADC). Being a DDL has really given me a confidence boost as well as the ability to submit two motions surrounding student issues which I will be speaking on at ADC in April this year.

How can we get more people into therapeutic radiography?

Radiography is not a very well-known allied health profession role, however therapeutic even less so. When I have told family and friends what my degree is, they instantly associate radiography with X-rays, MRI, CT – so a very diagnostic heavy outlook - but no one ever correctly understands what my future profession will be until I explain it. 

I will admit when I applied for diagnostic and even until I had a placement day in my local radiotherapy department as part of my diagnostic degree, I presumed radiotherapy was delivered by specialised nurses – not realising there was another type of specialised radiographer. I think for me, this has really highlighted the fact that few people know or understand what a Therapeutic Radiographer is, and I think more advertisement about our role and radiography is needed. 

I am an avid follower and listener of Rad Chat, the Therapeutic Radiographer-led oncology podcast, and genuinely believe what they are doing is amazing. Any future or prospective students should listen to their podcast as it really opens a real-life window into oncology and what it’s like to be a Therapeutic Radiographer.

What hobbies or interests help you wind down outside work?

To wind down I do read a lot, mostly crime and detective fiction, though I am partial to a little fantasy. I am currently rereading my favourite book ever - The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. I also have recently really gotten into miniature puzzle building and am currently making a series of book nooks for my bookshelves.

My main other interest which I really enjoy is volunteering with St John Ambulance. As part of my Advanced First Aider role I get to be a volunteer first aider for all diverse kinds of events. My favourite events I have volunteered on so far are Norwich City FC games and concerts (Elton John and Take That being the best) and I was privileged to be part of Operation London Bridge [the process following the death of Queen Elizabeth II]. I am also a regional student volunteering officer, covering projects within the student volunteering team, as well as overseeing and helping student volunteers at the University of East Anglia and the University of Cambridge.