[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/radiation_sm.jpg” caption=”Pictured at the announcement, back row from left: Anthony Whitton, of Cancer Care Ontario; MaryLynn West-Moynes, Mohawk College president; a student from the inaugural class; Bill Evans, president of the Juravinski Cancer Centre; John Capone, dean of the Faculty of Science at McMaster. Front row: Two students in the inaugural class; Rosemary Knechtel, executive dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Human Services at Mohawk College; Marie Bountrogianni, minister of intergovernmental affairs and MPP Hamilton Mountain; Susie Harduwar, radiation therapy student; and other students in the inaugural class. Click here for FULL Size“]Cancer patients who need radiation therapy and students who want a career in providing that care are the beneficiaries of a unique program being offered by McMaster University, Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology, and the Juravinski Cancer Centre at Hamilton Health Sciences.

The three institutions have joined together to offer students the radiation therapy stream of study in the collaborative medical radiation sciences program. Until now, the fully integrated diploma-degree program, the only one of its kind in Ontario, offered students specialization in either medical radiation technology (radiography) or ultrasonography.

The introduction of the radiation therapy stream offers students a one-of-a-kind program that combines theoretical study with practical, experiential training with classes and labs held at the Mohawk-McMaster Institute for Applied Health Sciences and the Juravinski Cancer Centre.

Students, professors, clinicians and special guests celebrated the launch of the new program during a ceremony held today at the Juravinski Cancer Centre. This week marks Medical Radiation Technologists Week in Ontario.

Studies show one in three Canadians will develop cancer and radiation treatment (the use of ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells) is needed for about half of all cancer patients as part of their care. With the increasing prevalence of cancer, as well as new approaches for radiation treatment, demand for highly skilled radiation therapists continues to increase.

The hope is that those who train in the community will stay in the community, alleviating a chronic shortage of radiation therapists in the region and the province and in turn reducing the time patients must wait for treatment.

Anthony Whitton of Cancer Care Ontario said that expansion of cancer centres such as the Juravinski Cancer Centre and the addition of new state-of-the-art technology means that more cancer patients are benefiting from high quality, timely treatment close to home. Yet a global shortage of radiation therapists has affected the ability of cancer centres to attract enough staff to meet the needs of patients.

“Despite developing a degree level training and centralizing this in Toronto, insufficient staff are being trained,” said Whitton. “Part of the difficulty has been to attract applicants to the centralized program from outside Toronto and to recruit trainees to work outside Toronto after graduation. This new program gives radiation therapists an opportunity to receive high quality education close to the location where they will be employed.”

Susie Harduwar, 20, of Cambridge is one of 10 students enrolled in the inaugural radiation therapy class.

“Ever since I was little I've thought about doing something in the cancer field,” she said. “I've had some family members affected by cancer and I wanted to be able to give back through caring for others who have cancer. This program also appealed to me because it combines the college and university experience. It seems so practical and useful. And after visiting the cancer centre I was motivated to put so much more into my schoolwork. It felt so good to be there and puts it all in perspective.”

Bill Evans, president of the Juravinski Cancer Centre, said the new radiation therapy program's collaborative nature will benefit patients served by the Juravinski Cancer Program within Hamilton Health Sciences and potentially, patients across the province.

“The quality of care our patients receive is dependent, in large measure, on strong educational programs that encourage innovation and the translation of new knowledge into practice,” said Evans.

“This partnership is an important initiative that builds on our commitment to provide high quality evidence-based care to our patients. It is also crucial to addressing a chronic shortage of skilled radiation therapists who are such vital members of the cancer care team.”

John Capone, dean of the Faculty of Science at McMaster University, said the new stream epitomizes the growing vision of science at McMaster, which involves collaboration across disciplinary boundaries and improving the lives of Canadians. “In addition to meeting the strong student interest for the new field of specialization, the radiation therapy stream is crucial to address patient need,” he said.

Rosemary Knechtel, executive dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Human Services at Mohawk College, added: “Mohawk celebrates the dynamic partnerships that empower our students to graduate successfully into the medical field, and we're very pleased to be able to introduce the Radiation Therapy stream into our collaborative Medical Radiation Sciences program.”