AN OXFORD hospital is throwing open its doors on Saturday in a bid to dispel people’s fears about cancer treatment.

Staff at the Oxford Cancer Centre will take members of the public behind the scenes and into areas usually off-limits to show them what really happens when patients receive treatment.

Visitors will be able to see the theatres where experts use the latest hi-tech equipment to care for the county’s cancer patients, and ask any questions they have about the effects of therapies.

Radiographer Joanna Kelsey said she hoped to better explain the effects of radiotherapy to people.

She said: “It’s a great chance for people to look behind the scenes and see what happens throughout the whole patient pathway, from diagnosis to treatment.

“For instance I think a lot of people think radiotherapy is painful, whereas the actual process is painless.

“A lot of people can also be quite worried about their treatment.

“We hope this will reduce the fear and demystify these treatments, and ultimately reassure people.”

Lab technician Michal Presz said he was looking forward to showing the public what he does day-to-day.

He said: “It is easy for lab work to go unrecognised but it forms an integral part of any cancer treatment given.

“On Saturday, along with my colleagues, we can really demonstrate what research means and how it translates to the care patients ultimately receive.”

The open day, which has been organised in conjunction with Oxford University, will also feature fun activity stations where children can play games, look at cells through microscopes, and have a go at operating machinery.

One piece of new equipment which will be open for the public to turn their hand to is the Da Vinci, a robot which allows surgeons to carry out precision operations.

Visitors will be able to compete against each other to peel a grape by operating the robotic arm.

A treasure hunt will also be held with questions and clues posted around various parts of the centre.

Dr Rachel Midgley, a consultant oncologist and cancer research professor at Oxford University, said she hopes to show people how research is carried out and then translated into treatments.

She added: “People can come along and take part in lots of fun activities and learn more about the trials we do.

“It’s an opportunity to see how all these people work together, surgeons, doctors, and nurses.

“It should be a really interesting day out. “ awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk