A THERAPEUTIC radiographer from Somerset has set up a research study that looks at how young people could be persuaded to take up a career in radiography.

Shannon Johnson, who works in the Beacon Centre at Musgrove Park Hospital, has recently moved into a palliative specialist radiographer role as her main area of expertise.

Fewer people than ever are venturing into a career in therapeutic radiography, despite a sharp rise in the number of patients needing support from these specialists.

She said: “I feel really privileged to care for and treat this group of patients, who won’t have a cure for their cancer, so it’s all about working with them to maintain the best possible quality of life.

“We’ve certainly noticed that since the pandemic, we’re seeing a lot more poorly people coming through to us at the Beacon Centre, so my new role will be even more important as we move into the future.

“To be honest, outside of cancer care, I find that not many people really know what a therapeutic radiographer is, unless they, or a loved one, is in a situation where they need our support.

“When people talk about cancer, they tend to think of chemotherapy or surgery, but chemotherapy is actually used for about 16 per cent of patients with cancer, whereas radiotherapy is used for between 40 per cent and 50 per cent.

“I’m a real advocate for what we do as therapeutic radiographers, as we work with really high-tech equipment and, most importantly, support our patients through difficult times.

“I’m very passionate about radiography as a profession, and it makes me feel quite sad that fewer people are considering taking this up as a career, so I want to do something about it.

“Spreading my knowledge of radiotherapy as a way to encourage people into the profession is something I’m passionate about, so beginning this research study felt like a natural step to take, as I know we simply don’t have enough therapeutic radiographers in the UK to care for the number of people who need treatment.

“I wished that when I was choosing my university options, someone would have told me about therapeutic radiography. As it is, I actually fell into the career by chance.

“Every time I tell someone outside the NHS about my job, they reply that working in cancer care must be really depressing, but it’s really not – it’s so rewarding as we can make such a difference.

“Therapeutic radiography is very much a hidden profession in that people don’t really know what we do.

“I now want to do everything I can to promote it, so members of the public are more aware of what to expect and generally how amazing this treatment is – it helps so many people.”

Shannon applied and was accepted for a research grant from the Society and College of Radiographers, which allowed her to have some limited time away from work to focus on her research project – called ‘Exploring Radiographer Therapeutic Outreach in the UK.’

“My research is still ongoing and I’ve taken it to a couple of high-profile events this year, including the Oncology Professional Care Conference and the UK Imaging and Oncology Conference – it was well received at both.

“Now we’re starting to get a picture of what’s stopping people from getting into the profession, we can change the way we reach out to young people. We also have apprenticeship schemes that bring in a bit more flexibility for people to study therapeutic radiography.

“I’ve already been going into colleges and secondary schools to give talks and showcase the therapeutic radiography profession, and this research gives us that platform – we’ll absolutely get there.”