2 May 2019
The BIR supports the Radiotherapy4Life campaign which is backed by Action Radiotherapy. This campaign seeks to raise awareness of radiotherapy and calls for more funding because it is one of the most cost-effective cancer treatments. However, analysis by the charity Action Radiotherapy estimates that nearly 24,000 cancer patients across the UK are missing out on vital radiotherapy. The campaign is spear-headed by England football legend Bryan Robson OBE and Paralympian Gold Medalist David Smith MBE, who have both had radiotherapy treatment
The campaign is calling for an increase in the cancer budget for radiotherapy from 5% to 6.5% with a one-off ring fenced investment of £250 million to provide comprehensive regional access to radiotherapy, a further £100 million a year ongoing investment in staff and IT infrastructure and the establishment of a radiotherapy tsar. The tsar should be given powers to coordinate implementation of an advanced world class radiotherapy service across the whole of the country. In addition, the campaign is calling for radical reforms to the commissioning process for radiotherapy. Read more about the campaign here.
ESTRO has also published a white paper called Radiotherapy: Seizing the Opportunity in Cancer Care as part of the Marie Curie Legacy campaign which the BIR are also pleased to endorse.
