Rachel Ward, RT(T)

IGSRT stands for "image-guided superficial radiation therapy," which is quite a mouthful. IGSRT is highly effective and is a surgery-free treatment for basal and squamous cell skin cancers. It doesn't...

Radiation therapy is a standard treatment for many forms of cancer and is becoming increasingly popular for skin cancer treatment. Doses of radiation are carefully planned and delivered by professionals, like...

In my years as a radiation therapist, I have come across plenty of misleading information about radiation, including as a treatment for skin cancer. One of the best defenses against...

I recently took a phone call at work from a man with questions about radiation treatments. His dermatologist had referred him to treat a skin cancer behind his ear with...

“Well, you’re a radiation therapist. You will always recommend treating with radiation!” That’s not always true. I understand that skin cancer therapies are not a one-size-fits-all approach. There are cases...

A scar from your skin cancer removal is not exactly what you look forward to, but it's not typically the scariest part of the experience. But what if it were?...

A dermatology office that is interested in owning and operating a superficial radiation therapy (SRT) machine must do more than just purchase the device. If your dermatologist offers SRT, they...

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, and approximately 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they turn 70 years old. Our...

Radiation therapists like me claim that "superficial radiation therapy for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers," but why just non-melanoma? What about a melanoma disqualifies it from receiving superficial radiation...

In the last few years, I have treated over 900 skin cancers. Just like each patient is different, so is each skin cancer site. I am a radiation therapist, and...

Every treatment has its own list of pros and cons. As the one providing the treatment, I may seem biased in favor of superficial radiation therapy as the best treatment...

Have you ever noticed that injuries just seem to heal so much slower when they are located on your lower legs? If it is a surgery site from a skin...

All skin cancer journeys start in the same place, with diagnosis. It could be a discovery during your routine skin examination or a spot you need to have looked at...

“Congratulations! It's your final superficial radiation treatment!”...now what? Care for your skin, it’s delicate! After radiation therapy, the effects of the radiation do not immediately disappear from your skin, and...

We know how expensive a trip to the doctor’s office can be. It's even more costly when you’re seeing a specialist, like your favorite dermatologist. But you generally know what...

As a radiation therapist, I have been a part of one thousand skin cancer treatments, but not one of them was mine. This prompts some people with skin cancer to...

Like the rest of your skin, skin cancers are made up of cells. The difference between the cells of healthy skin and cancerous skin is in the genetic makeup, also...

I am a radiation therapist working in a dermatology office treating non-melanoma skin cancers with superficial radiation therapy. This statement no longer even seems unique to me. For many patients...

Working as a superficial radiation therapist treating skin cancers, I have encountered so many interesting patients. But a few unique individuals have left such an impact that has forever changed...

Every treatment comes with its own set of side effects. Radiation-induced side effects are thought to be terrifying burns and mutations from nuclear fallout. This misconception deters so many patients...