A radiation protection system for shielding medical personnel from a gamma ray source being used to provide brachytherapy to a patient is provided by disposing shielding material between the source of radiation and locations outside the radiation protection system in such a manner as to provide shielding for the primary radiation in directions from which radiation from the source may emerge, while providing the patient an open viewing area with a large field of view for the patient to view the locations outside the radiation protection system. The described system reduces the radiation exposure of staff in the treatment room, thereby permitting physicians and therapists to observe the patient without being exposed to excessive amounts of radiation. The opening in the radiation protection system around the head of the patient provides the ability for the patient to see his surroundings and to eliminate the anxiety resulting from the feeling of being closed in.