Question: how much radiation do you use and what type?

Paul Booker answered on 10 Mar 2015:

We use all types of radiation: alpha, beta and gamma radiation (as well as X-rays which are a bit different to gamma radiation). We use them in all sorts of different amounts too! The most common radiation we use is X-rays.

There are trials run to determine what the most effective dose of radiation to give a tumour is, but each time a patient comes for a treatment we generally give 2 Gray (a Gray is a measure of energy deposited per unit mass, it is the same as one Joule per kilogram).

So instead of prescribing people painkillers or other medication, our doctors prescribe energy!