Get ready! World Radiotherapy Awareness Day (WRAD) launched worldwide on Sunday September 7, 2025. This year’s campaign theme is “One Voice for Radiotherapy” – it’s all about coming together to spread the word about how important radiotherapy is in fighting cancer.
The Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT) is backing this event, helping to shine a light on the vital role careers in radiotherapy (or radiation therapy as it is known in Australia) play in saving lives. More than 70,000 people are given this cancer treatment every year.
Why is World Radiotherapy Awareness Day on September 7?
As the name suggests, World Radiotherapy Awareness Day is about getting people to understand why careers in radiotherapy matter. It happens on September 7th because that’s the same day as the first-ever cancer treatment using a linear accelerator took place in 1953, which makes it a pretty important date for cancer care.
What is Radiotherapy?
Radiotherapy is a safe, effective and cost-effective way to treat many cancers. It works by using high-energy radiation – carefully targeted to the tumour – to damage the DNA inside cancer cells so they cannot grow or spread. Radiotherapy can be used on its own or together with other treatments like surgery or chemotherapy, depending on what type of cancer it is, and how advanced it is.
About 1 in 2 people with cancer could benefit from radiotherapy as part of their cancer treatment, but only 1 in 3 actually get access to it in metro areas – and even fewer in rural or remote places or in many other countries around the world. This means a lot of people are missing out on a treatment that can cure cancer, help control it, or relieve symptoms, making life better for patients.
Radiotherapy is becoming more advanced all the time, with fewer side effects and faster treatments than ever before. It is one of the fastest evolving treatment specialties today.
Who Works in Radiotherapy?
Thinking about your future? A career in radiotherapy could be perfect if you like healthcare, technology, and patient care. As a Radiation Therapist, you help treat people with cancer using super-advanced technology and modern machines. You’ll personalise treatment plans for each patient, use the latest imaging techniques, and make sure every patient gets the most precise care possible.
Radiation therapists work in a team with other experts – like doctors (radiation oncologists), radiation oncology medical physicists, specialist radiation oncology nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Together, you support patients through every step of their treatment and even afterwards.
To become a radiation therapist, you’ll need a solid understanding of science, a keen eye for detail, and good people skills – after all, you’re working with patients who really need support and care. You’ll get to see some of the coolest new technology in action and know you’re making a real difference in people’s lives.
If you’re looking for a career that helps others, where you can work with cutting-edge tech, radiation therapy could be an awesome choice.
What is ASMIRT?
The Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT) is the peak body representing Radiographers and Radiation Therapists in Australia.
There are almost 20,000 Medical Radiation Practitioners (MRPs) in Australia, with ASMIRT members making up the majority of them.
ASMIRT is all about keeping MRPs up to date with the latest skills, setting high standards for how they work, and encouraging and supporting research. They also make sure that the voices of these professionals are heard by government when it comes to important issues.
Start Your Career in Radiotherapy Today!
Feeling inspired at the possibility of saving people’s lives? All the info you’ll need to get started can be found on ASMIRT’s employer page! So, what are you waiting for? launch a life-saving career in Radiography & Radiation Therapy today!
