New Cancer Treatment Cuts Sessions From 20 to Just 5

Stephen Dwyer-Lapthorne walked into Torbay Hospital expecting 20 rounds of radiotherapy for his prostate cancer, but a new treatment cut that number to just five.

The 55-year-old became the first man in Torbay and South Devon to receive SABR (stereotactic ablative radiotherapy), a high-powered precision technique that targets tumors more effectively than standard treatment. He was diagnosed with localized prostate cancer in October 2025, and by the time he arrived for his planning scan, the hospital had just begun offering the new option.

"It's better to only have to do that five times as opposed to 20 times," Dwyer-Lapthorne said. "I only have one session left of the planned five sessions, and right now, I don't feel anything other than slightly fatigued."

The treatment delivers the same cancer-fighting power in five sessions over two weeks instead of 20 sessions over four weeks. NHS England announced the nationwide rollout in June 2026, and hospitals across the South West are now making it available to eligible patients.

Around 17,500 men diagnosed with low or intermediate risk prostate cancer each year in the UK could benefit from SABR. The technique uses advanced imaging to pinpoint tumors with extreme accuracy, allowing doctors to deliver higher doses while protecting surrounding healthy tissue.

The Ripple Effect

The impact goes beyond convenience. Fewer hospital visits means less time off work, reduced travel costs, and less disruption to daily life during an already stressful time.

Naomi Hopkins, head of radiotherapy at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said patients can now receive cutting-edge treatment close to home instead of traveling to distant specialist centers. The hospital expects to treat many more men with the technique in the coming months.

Meg Burgess, a specialist nurse with Prostate Cancer UK, called it "a huge game changer for patients and for the NHS." Men can finish treatment faster and get back to their families, jobs, and normal routines while experiencing fewer side effects.

Dwyer-Lapthorne said he would encourage anyone eligible for SABR to choose it. He's already planning what he'll do once his final session is complete.