Radiation Therapist with first-hand experience

Recognizing World Cancer Day

“Eight years ago, I was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer. Data at the time showed that I shouldn’t be here right now but after chemotherapy and radiation treatments, I have had a clean bill of health for four years. When I sense that patients are feeling stress, I tell them my story. I am proof that you can get through this.”

Inside each treatment room in the Radiation Therapy Department at CancerCare Manitoba sits a large, highly advanced machine (called a linear accelerator). The device is most commonly used to deliver external beam radiation treatments to patients with cancer, a responsibility that requires the specialized skills and training of a radiation therapist to precisely pinpoint and treat the location of cancer cells inside a patient’s body.

For more than 30 years, Brian Holmes has been a radiation therapist at CancerCare Manitoba, supporting and caring for cancer patients throughout their journey through radiation treatment.

“At the beginning of treatments, radiation often sounds scary to patients,” said Holmes. “The majority of people I see associate it with devastating world events like Hiroshima and Chernobyl, but medical radiation therapy is one of the most effective treatments of cancer.”

Radiation therapy uses high doses of ionized radiation to shrink and kill cancer cells while protecting nearby healthy tissue as much as possible.

“It’s an option for almost any cancer from the top of your head to the tip of your toes,” said Holmes, explaining that different types and stages of cancer will require different approaches, ranging from one to 30 treatments.

“We often get to know patients pretty well. I find out their interests and learn things about their families to try and connect with them during appointments. Sometimes we joke around. I think building those relationships and finding lightness in interactions with patients helps make the experience less stressful.”

Holmes has the valuable perspective of being a health care worker who has experienced the patient journey. After being diagnosed with stomach cancer eight years ago, he now uses his experiences to help alleviate patients’ fear during appointments.

“When I sense that patients are feeling stressed, I tell them my story,” said Holmes.”I tell them that I know what they are going through – I have had radiation treatments and I am proof that you can get through this. Little connections like that often make a big difference.”

“Cancer care is a multidisciplinary team effort,” said Holmes, who works closely with nursing colleagues and radiation oncologists to develop treatment plans, support patients and families during their appointments and answer any questions or concerns they may have.

“Many people still think the big C word means death,” said Holmes. “But over the past several decades, there have been so many clinical trials and technological advancements that have evolved treatment plans and changed outcomes for so many.”

Holmes looks forward to the tradition that commemorates a patient’s last radiation treatment, through the ringing of a bell or another form of celebration in the otherwise quiet care environment. 

“Each time a patient finishes their last radiation therapy appointment, they celebrate by ringing a bell and we take some photos. A few of our treatment rooms are closer to the waiting area, and when those bells ring, we often hear clapping coming from down the hall. It’s very supportive, everyone knows what it means.”

Decades in this profession have provided Holmes with thousands of moments and memories that have stuck with him, reminding him on hard days that he is where he needs to be.

“I fully recognize it’s not a job that everybody would be able to do. People often ask me how I do it and, I get it, I would be freaked out to be a fireman,” he joked.

“In this line of work, when you look at the positives, you can see a lot of impact. I have been here for 30 years and still love coming to work every day.”

On February 4, we recognize World Cancer Day as an opportunity to raise awareness for the prevention and treatment of cancer of all types and recognize the health care teams at CancerCare Manitoba that work closely with all regional health authorities to contribute to the delivery of quality patient care and improved outcomes.