Cornwall patients helped change prostate cancer care on the NHS

Men across the country are being offered a quicker, more precise way to treat prostate cancer, and patients here in Cornwall helped get it there.

A faster treatment reaching thousands

NHS England has announced that thousands of men with prostate cancer will be offered a high-powered precision radiotherapy called stereotactic ablative radiotherapy, or SABR. It targets the disease more effectively, which helps cut side effects and reduces how many courses of treatment a patient needs.

Where Cornwall comes in

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust supported local patients to take part in the clinical trials that proved the treatment worked.

Dr John McGrane, Consultant Oncologist, said the trust was proud of the part Cornwall played. “We’re proud that patients from Cornwall contributed to the research behind this national rollout. We are delighted to have taken part in the PACE trials that have transformed radiotherapy delivery for prostate cancer patients.”

Five sessions instead of twenty

SABR delivers radiotherapy to the tumour from many different directions, which helps lower the risk of the cancer spreading or returning. The bigger change for patients is the time it takes. The treatment can be given in just five sessions over two weeks, compared with around 20 sessions over a month.

John said that shift matters most for people living away from the bigger towns. “For our patients, and especially those who live in rural areas, this means fewer hospital visits and less disruption to their daily lives, which can make a significant difference to both their wellbeing and their families. This is a significant step forward in prostate cancer care, offering treatment that is not only highly effective but also far more convenient for patients.”

The man behind the quote

John also hosts the Simply Oncology Podcast alongside his colleague Dr Michael Rowe. The pair break down the complexities of cancer care into clear, compassionate and accessible conversations for patients and anyone with an interest in the field.

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