The planned expansion of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), a highly targeted form of radiotherapy delivered from multiple directions, will shorten treatment for eligible men with early prostate cancer, release appointments across England’s radiotherapy services and reduce repeated hospital visits. NHS England has announced that the treatment will be offered on the NHS for the first time, with the initial centres beginning within days. SABR is typically delivered in five doses within a fortnight, compared with at least 20 doses for standard external beam radiotherapy. Availability is expected across all 48 radiotherapy providers in England, supported by government investment in new linear accelerator machines.
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Shorter Pathways Reduce Hospital Attendance
SABR offers eligible men with low or intermediate risk prostate cancer a substantially shorter course of radiotherapy. Standard external beam radiotherapy requires at least 20 doses, while SABR is normally completed in five doses over two weeks. The difference spares patients 15 treatment sessions and reduces the time spent travelling to and attending hospital.
The treatment delivers a higher dose to the tumour from multiple directions, using pinpoint accuracy to limit harm to surrounding healthy cells. It is intended to reduce the risk of cancer spreading or returning and has been proven effective using fewer doses than conventional radiotherapy. The approach may also reduce certain side effects, although it is not suitable for everyone with localised prostate cancer.
Around 17,500 men are diagnosed with low or intermediate risk prostate cancer in England each year and could be offered SABR. NHS modelling suggests that nearly a fifth of this group, around 3,500 men, may choose the option. The reduced number of visits is expected to lessen the treatment and travel burden for patients and their families, allowing more time at work or at home. Men with questions about their options are encouraged to speak to their specialist team. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK, with more than 55,000 diagnoses and around 12,300 deaths annually.
Roll-Out Could Release Radiotherapy Capacity
The shorter treatment schedule is expected to create additional capacity within prostate cancer services. NHS estimates indicate that the roll-out could free around 50,000 treatment appointments each year, helping the health service continue efforts to reduce waiting times. This capacity gain is linked directly to eligible patients receiving five doses rather than at least 20 sessions of standard radiotherapy.
The first centres are expected to make SABR available from next week, followed by expansion across all 48 radiotherapy providers in England. The programme therefore combines a shorter course for individual patients with wider availability across the existing provider network. The treatment is intended to offer faster care while reducing the strain that repeated hospital attendance can place on patients and families. The programme forms part of an NHS and government drive to transform cancer care in England.
The expansion comes as the NHS reports faster cancer diagnosis and treatment. Around four in five patients received a diagnosis or the all-clear within four weeks in February and March, the highest level recorded. Nearly 92% of patients started cancer treatment within a month in 2025/26. The release of radiotherapy appointments through SABR is expected to support continuing work to bring down waiting times while increasing access to the new treatment option.
Investment Supports Delivery Across Providers
Government investment in new linear accelerator machines is enabling the national roll-out. The £70 million (€82 million) investment in radiotherapy equipment supports treatment that targets tumours with greater accuracy and allows eligible patients to complete radiotherapy in fewer sessions. The machines are being introduced across the country as part of an NHS and government drive to transform cancer care in England. The investment also supports wider access to recent advances in cancer care.
The plan is for SABR to be available through every radiotherapy provider in England rather than only at the first centres beginning treatment. This wider roll-out is intended to expand access to recent advances in cancer care closer to patients’ homes. The decision follows UK-led trials and evidence that the treatment can keep cancer under control with fewer doses than conventional radiotherapy.
The programme links new equipment with a defined change in treatment delivery. Linear accelerators provide the precision required to direct high-dose radiotherapy at the tumour from multiple directions, while the five-dose schedule reduces the number of appointments attached to each eligible patient’s care. The resulting service model is expected to free treatment slots, reduce hospital visits and support faster completion of radiotherapy.
The expansion of SABR represents a significant change in the organisation of prostate cancer radiotherapy in England. Eligible men may complete treatment in five sessions rather than at least 20, reducing hospital attendance and treatment time. Across the service, the shorter schedule could release around 50,000 appointments each year and support efforts to reduce waiting times. Delivery is being backed by investment in linear accelerator machines and planned adoption across all radiotherapy providers. Access will remain subject to individual suitability because SABR is not appropriate for every patient with localised disease.
Source: NHS England
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