The U.K. Royal College of Radiologists has applauded National Health Service (NHS) England for its decision to implement the use of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) in all radiotherapy facilities by April 2021.
SABR allows for the treatment of cancer with higher doses of radiation delivered in far fewer sessions than conventional radiotherapy. The treatment is currently available in about half of England's radiotherapy centers and may be crucial to reduce hospital visits for immunocompromised cancer patients during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
On 11 June, the NHS England pledged that all radiotherapy units will offer SABR treatment for patients with non-small cell lung cancer and lung, lymph nodes, and nonspine bone oligometastatic disease by April 2021 -- a year sooner than originally planned. The organization is also looking to approve the use of SABR for other types of cancer in 2021-2022.
"We are extremely pleased NHSE [NHS England] recognises the benefits of making this advanced technique easily accessible to all patients via every cancer centre in the country, especially as it has been more readily adopted nearby, in the devolved nations," stated RCR President Dr. Jeanette Dickson in a press release.
