Overview
- NHS England announced on Tuesday that stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) will be offered to eligible men with early or localised prostate cancer, with the first centres starting within days and all 48 radiotherapy providers offering it within weeks to three months.
- SABR delivers highly targeted radiation from multiple angles and typically completes treatment in five sessions over about two weeks compared with the 20 or more standard external beam radiotherapy doses.
- NHS modelling estimates about 17,500 men diagnosed each year with low or intermediate-risk prostate cancer could be eligible and projects initial uptake of roughly 3,500 patients a year choosing SABR.
- Officials say the rollout, backed by a reported £70 million government investment in new linear accelerators, could free around 50,000 prostate treatment appointments a year and help reduce waiting times.
- Clinical leaders stress the treatment is not suitable for everyone, that eligibility must be decided by specialist teams, and that UK-led trials underpinned the decision while charities continue research on expanding use.