NHS to Offer Precision Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer, Cutting Treatment Sessions from 20 to Just Five

NHS Rolls Out Cutting-Edge Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer Patients

Thousands of men across England diagnosed with prostate cancer are set to benefit from a highly advanced form of radiotherapy available on the NHS — one that reduces the number of required treatment sessions from 20 down to just five.

The technique, known as SABR (stereotactic ablative radiotherapy), delivers an exceptionally precise and high-powered beam of radiation directly at cancerous tissue, minimising damage to surrounding healthy cells. Senior oncologists say it represents a significant improvement over conventional radiotherapy, both in terms of effectiveness and reduced side effects.

What Is SABR and Who Will It Help?

SABR is not an entirely new treatment — it has already been used successfully on patients with lung and brain cancers. However, this marks the first time it will be made available to men with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer outside of clinical trials.

Approximately 55,000 men receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in England every year. Of those, roughly 17,500 fall into the low- or intermediate-risk category. NHS modelling estimates that around 3,500 of those men — approximately one in five — are likely to choose this new form of treatment.

The relatively modest uptake is partly explained by the fact that many men diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer opt for active monitoring rather than immediate intervention, given the typically slow-growing nature of the disease.

Nationwide Rollout Expected Within Weeks

NHS England has confirmed that all 48 radiotherapy centres operating across the country are expected to begin offering SABR to eligible prostate cancer patients within weeks.

Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer, acknowledged that while the advancement will not apply to every prostate cancer patient, it represents a meaningful step forward in cancer care.

"This technology lets us focus a powerful and precise beam of radiotherapy directly on to the cancer, limiting the damage to healthy cells," he said. "And the fact it can be delivered in 15 fewer doses will help men get back to living their lives far more quickly."

Amy Rylance of Prostate Cancer UK welcomed the news, describing it as a significant breakthrough. "It will massively reduce the burden that cancer places on patients and their loved ones," she said. The charity also expressed hope that SABR will eventually become accessible to men with high-risk prostate cancer as well.

Trials Already Underway for High-Risk Patients

Clinical trials are currently in progress to determine whether SABR can be safely and effectively extended to high-risk prostate cancer cases — a development that could widen its impact considerably.

One Patient's Experience: 'An Absolute Godsend'

Edwin Lambert, a 70-year-old from Suffolk, is among the patients currently participating in one of these high-risk trials. Diagnosed with prostate cancer in January 2025, he initially underwent hormone therapy, which brought with it a range of difficult side effects including fatigue, mood swings, hot flushes, and loss of libido.

He subsequently received the precision radiotherapy targeting both his prostate and nearby lymph nodes. Comparing his experience to that of other patients he observed undergoing traditional radiotherapy during his hospital visits, Lambert noted a striking difference.

"They looked dreadful," he said of those receiving conventional treatment, citing the toll of repeated sessions. His own side effects were limited primarily to increased urinary frequency during and shortly after the treatment.

Within just five weeks of completing his course of radiotherapy, Lambert was back on his feet — quite literally — participating in an archaeological dig he had been planning for some time.

"This treatment was an absolute godsend," he said.

A Step Forward in Cancer Care

The rollout of SABR for prostate cancer represents a broader shift toward more targeted, patient-centred cancer treatment. By combining clinical precision with a dramatically reduced treatment schedule, the NHS is offering men not only better outcomes, but a faster return to the lives they cherish.