AXREM Radiotherapy Special Focus Group Responds to DHSC 10 Year Cancer Plan Consultation

29 April 2022

Radiotherapy is a very safe, effective/efficient, and cost-effective treatment for cancer patients. Compared to other developed countries with better cancer survival rates than the UK, radiotherapy is utilized more in the treatment of cancer. In the UK only 27% of patients currently receive Radiotherapy. In countries such as France, Germany, Scandinavia over 50% of patients will receive radiotherapy and higher (with or without any other treatment modalities).

The technology has developed significantly over the last 10-20 years. it is targeted, it is precise, it is safe, it is highly effective and responsible for over 40% of cures. As manufacturers of radiotherapy treatment solutions, we strive to develop products that deliver more targeted radiotherapy to minimize the impact on normal critical tissues and organs at risks. We develop products that make the treatment delivery more efficient so that more patients can benefit. We make equipment that delivers more complex treatment techniques more easily and safely in reducing time of the treatment (per treatment session and in total number of sessions). Equipment utilizes artificial intelligence to help with the workforce challenges and lack of sufficient professionals. Investment in more modern radiotherapy is key to enabling better access for patients.

Access to radiotherapy needs to be closer to patients through the use of satellite centers. It is proven that if patients have to travel significant distances for their radiotherapy treatment, they will refuse. The recommendation of ESTRO [European Society of Radiation Oncology] is that patients should not have to travel more than 45 minutes’ for radiotherapy. There are already a number of satellite centers successfully operating in the UK, but there are still areas where travel time for patients is prohibitive to receiving radiotherapy treatment affecting cancer outcomes. Technology is available to ensure safe, consistent, and high-quality treatment delivery at these satellite centers.

In the UK, NHS Trusts struggle to fund the capital costs required to replace aged equipment. Centralized funding is allocated sporadically meaning that replacements by NHS Trusts are often put on hold in the hope that funding will become available. In Scotland, a centralised fund is available to replace the linear accelerators at 10 years old – ensuring that patients and staff have access to the latest technologies to deliver the most advanced radiotherapy. In England only 5% of the cancer budget is allocated to radiotherapy compared to a much higher 10-12% in other European countries, for instance France, Italy, or Spain.

As manufacturers we work very closely with customers to listen to what their challenges and requirements are and develop products accordingly. As the incidence of cancer rises and we aim to make cancer a manageable disease it has shown to be clinically significant to get treatment quickly after diagnosis. The funding of community diagnostic centers is critical to diagnose patients at an earlier stage. However, without the same level of investment in the treatment delivery systems patients will face a wait for their treatment to start after diagnosis leading to their cancer progressing to later stage. For every 4 weeks of treatment delay the risk of death increases by 10% (source the BMJ). It is much more cost effective when planning a diagnostic centre to plan in space to house a radiotherapy treatment machine.

Adele Lyons, AXREM Radiotherapy Group Convenor said “The AXREM Radiotherapy SFG are pleased to be able to provide evidence in the Governments War against Cancer. As a group representing all major Radiotherapy industry manufacturers, we are available to work in partnership with the government in helping to solve issues such as work force, innovation adoption and aged equipment replacement. As an industry group we can advise on the best solutions that can help overcome these challenges in a cost effective way”.

ENDS