Half of people in Great Britain did not know about any of the advanced types of life-saving radiotherapy treatments now available, which were listed in a Cancer Research UK poll.
A YouGov survey of over 2,000 UK adults carried out by Cancer Research UK alongside other members of the Radiotherapy Awareness Programme (RAP) showed that although 83% had heard of radiotherapy as a cancer treatment, they did not necessarily know about the newest and best types
The most advanced forms of radiotherapy such as intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) are transforming the lives of cancer patients by targeting a tumour more precisely. These new techniques also have fewer side effects.
But only 4% of respondents had heard of IMRT and only 3% had heard of SABR. Proton beam therapy, despite receiving broad media coverage in the past year, has only been heard of by 30% of those surveyed.
Knowledge about radiotherapy was much worse than about types of chemotherapy and surgical techniques, and respondents who gave an opinion overwhelmingly prioritised chemotherapy and other drug treatments (57%) over radiotherapy (9%) as highest for NHS funding into cancer treatments. This is despite experts suggesting that four in ten cancer patients who are cured have radiotherapy as part of their treatment.
Diana Tait, chair of the Radiotherapy Awareness Programme, said: “We were shocked that only 9% of people think radiotherapy should be the highest priority for NHS funding into cancer treatments.
“Patients don’t always get the most advanced form of radiotherapy that could give them the best chance. This isn’t acceptable. We want to raise awareness of how advanced radiotherapy is a better, kinder treatment, so that all patients who need it can get it on the NHS.”
