Some kinds of cancer are less prevalent than they used to be. Reduced smoking rates have cut lung cancer rates, while awareness of the risks of sun exposure has reduced skin cancer frequency. But other cancers have increased.

Colorectal cancer is one such category, with instances of the disease on the rise across the globe.

The American Cancer Society predicted last year that there would be more than 154,000 diagnoses of the disease across the US, slightly up from its 2024 forecasts.

Forecasts of a rising incidence of gastrointestinal cancer in the US were backed up by a study by JAMA that showed not only were cases on the rise, but the increase was particularly focused on younger people.

Colorectal cancer in adults under 40 was up 3.4 per cent over the course of the decade, while pancreatic and gastric cancers were also up.

What Factors Increase The Risk Of Colorectal Cancer?

Speaking about these findings on the ABC Good Morning America show last year, the show’s medical correspondent, Dr Darien Sutton, listed several increased risk factors that were leading to higher incidences of gastrointestinal cancers:

• Obesity
• The consumption of highly processed foods
• High consumption levels of sugary drinks
• High levels of alcohol consumption
• Increasingly sedentary lifestyles
• Smoking

While the last of these may be less common than years ago, the others are not. However, it is clear that alongside not smoking, factors like more exercise, less alcohol and a healthy diet with more fibre and less red meat reduce risk, points Dr Sutton emphasised.

How is the Age Profile Of Colorectal Cancer Patients Changing?

American Cancer Society figures for 2025 highlighted just how skewed the increase was towards younger patients in the US.

The annual increase in colorectal cancer rates between 2012 and 2021 was 2.4 per cent in those aged under 50, but just 0.4 per cent for those in the 50-64 age range.

A key point to note was that the trends seen in the US echoed those around the world, where similar causal factors have been at play.

For example, an international study published in The Lancet in early 2025 highlighted the rising colorectal cancer incidence among younger adults in high-income Western countries.

However, while colorectal cancer is a rising problem around the world, especially in more affluent countries where lifestyles are more sedentary and the consumption of potentially harmful foods and beverages like red meat and sugary drinks is higher, there is good news.

While delivering its prediction of rising case numbers in 2025, the American Cancer Society noted that since the 1970s, patient outcomes for those with these forms of cancer had been steadily improving, partly thanks to more screening and lifestyle changes.

However, we may also consider just how radiotherapy has played a role in improved outcomes by noting how it can help to treat colorectal cancers and why treatments are now more effective than in the past.

On the one hand, the basics of radiotherapy remain the same as ever: The radiation disrupts the DNA of cancer cells, which breaks them down and prevents them from replicating. However, improvements in technology and scanning have made this process more precise.

How Is Radiotherapy Given For Colorectal Cancer?

Radiotherapy is usually delivered as external beam radiotherapy; specialised internal/contact techniques may be used in selected cases.

External beam therapy is given via a machine such as a LINAC machine, with the patient lying prone while the beams of radiation penetrate the skin to target the cancerous area.

This is often delivered in the form of intensity-modulated radiotherapy, which varies the strength of the beams of radiation to concentrate the higher doses on the cancer cells, while limiting the radiation exposure for the surrounding healthy tissue.

Brachytherapy involves a radioactive substance being placed inside the body, in this case, the colorectal area, to deliver the radiation. Two types can be used:

• High dose rate brachytherapy, which is often given after external therapy
• Low-energy contact brachytherapy, sometimes known as Papillon treatment, which is used as an alternative to surgery for cases of rectal cancer that have been detected very early

Any course of radiotherapy will come with side effects, although a benefit of intensity-modulated radiotherapy is that it reduces these because it limits the exposure in healthy tissue.

Nonetheless, some side effects will be common, such as

• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Nausea

Usually, these are temporary effects that wear off after treatment ends and younger patients will be better able to withstand the rigours of such treatment.

The best news about radiotherapy treatment for colorectal cancer is that, if detected early enough, this is a form of cancer that may often be removed entirely with a full recovery for patients.

Learn more about our advanced radiotherapy treatments for colorectal cancers on the Amethyst Group website.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer to specifically affect men. According to the latest data, it accounts for just over 12 per cent of cancer cases in the European Economic Area and particularly affects men over the age of 45.

In addition, some ethnic groups are particularly prone to the disease, with black men at the highest risk. However, no racial group can be classed as ‘low risk’. The disease is curable, provided it is diagnosed at an early stage.

The fact that prostate cancer is so common does mean it has attracted a lot of attention, time and money for research into the disease and its treatments. This means that if you are a sufferer, you may have more treatment options open to you than you might be aware of.

If you are not happy with your current or proposed treatment, you may be keen on alternatives, not least if that means choosing radiotherapy over physical surgery. While surgery seeks to remove tumours and cancerous tissue, radiotherapy uses radiation to disrupt the DNA of cancer cells, destroying them and preventing cell replication.

What Is Involved In Prostate Cancer Surgery?

Going under the knife to have a tumour or even the whole prostate removed is a recognised and well-established treatment and it can be very effective. However, it has several potential downsides:

• Urinary dysfunction, including incontinence
• Negative changes to the experience of orgasm in sex
• Loss of fertility
• Erectile dysfunction
• Lymphedema, a painful swelling in the legs or around the genitals

Such consequences mean that whatever the surgery achieves for the overall patient prognosis, there can be a significant deterioration in quality of life.

This alone might make radiotherapy sound like an alternative worth considering. But this will only be useful if it can be shown to be at least as effective in achieving its primary purpose of tackling the cancer itself.

What Are The Side Effects Of Radiotherapy For Prostate Cancer?

Moreover, radiotherapy for prostate cancer is also not without its possible side effects and long-term issues. These include:

• Fatigue (short-term)
• Issues with urinary, bowel and ejaculatory function (both short and long-term)
• Infertility (long-term)
• Erectile dysfunction (long-term)

There is more than one kind of radiotherapy, however, which means there are multiple options for using it to treat prostate cancer. Finding the best option for each patient is important for achieving the best possible outcomes.

What Research Supports Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy For Prostate Cancer?

An increasing body of research evidence is available to show that stereotactic body radiotherapy may be an effective and increasingly preferred option to deliver radiotherapy treatment to prostate cancer sufferers.

The latest study to show this comes from a Phase III trial held by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust in the UK.

It carried out a study that compared the outcomes from a cohort of men who had five days of daily high-dosage stereotactic treatment to those of another group who underwent more standard radiotherapy treatment consisting of 20 sessions over four weeks.

The key finding of the trial was that the stereotactic radiotherapy produced results that were just as positive on average as those delivered by the longer courses of radiotherapy.

Consultant clinical oncologist at the trust, Andrew Chan, called the findings “a pivotal, practice-changing result”, as it meant that “for this highly prevalent cancer we are able to reduce radiotherapy treatment to only a quarter of the current standard – from 20 days to five days – with the same clinical benefits.”

This approach can have some great advantages for patients. Firstly, it is more practical as you only need to spare a few days to get it done, rather than a month.

Considering that the side-effects of radiotherapy can make you feel tired and unwell, this means you spend less time suffering and get the side-effects out of the way sooner.

What Are The Main Benefits Of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy?

For selected patients with localised prostate cancer, stereotactic body radiotherapy is also likely to produce fewer side effects precisely because it is designed to focus the radiation on very precise areas, which means it not only blasts the cancerous tissue with higher doses of radiation, but greatly reduces the radiation exposure for adjacent, healthy tissue.

The term stereotactic radiosurgery was coined in the 1960s by Lars Leksell, the Swedish neuroscientist who invented the Gamma Knife, a device commonly used in tackling brain tumours.

The brain is a prime example of an organ in which exposure of healthy tissue to radiation needs to be minimised, but this benefit can also apply to other parts of the body.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy is one option that may be considered for eligible patients with prostate cancer, following assessment by a specialist clinical team

Learn more about our advanced radiotherapy treatments for prostate cancer on the Amethyst Group website.

Christmas is a time of togetherness, joy and merriment, as friends, family and loved ones come together to celebrate, share moments and memories and look towards the promise of a new year.

However, this spirit of the season can also be a challenge for people undergoing radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other forms of cancer care.

Festive celebrations are often a further disruption to your schedule beyond the radiotherapy sessions, with the inadvertent pressure that can come from family gatherings.

You are not alone at Christmas, and people are here to help with whatever you need. But here are some tips and tricks to help cope with both the practical and emotional complexities of the season.

Why Is Christmas Difficult Whilst Being Treated For Cancer?

For some people undergoing cancer treatment, Christmas is a welcome break from the routine, provides a chance to rest and recover, whilst also celebrating their progress with the people who love them most.

However, at the same time, the very hope and magic that make Christmas what it is can also be more difficult. Whilst some people enjoy the occasion, others may feel more apprehensive about it:

• You might feel a subconscious pressure to avoid talking about negative feelings, anxieties or uncertainties so as not to upset other people.
• You could feel lonely or isolated at a time when healthcare and support tend to operate a more limited emergency service.
• You may be feeling additional fatigue or the effects of symptoms due to a more intense or stressful schedule than usual.

If you feel anything like this, know that it is natural, you are not alone, and with some planning and support, these challenges can be managed to ensure you have an enjoyable Christmas.

How Should You Prepare For Christmas Celebrations?

Preparation is a key part of Christmas, and if you are undergoing cancer treatments, there is an additional set of preparations you will need to make in order to enjoy yourself the most and give yourself the most peace of mind, whether you are hosting guests, going somewhere for the holidays or are taking some time for yourself.

Get Emergency Contact Details

Many clinics will have reduced hours or will close entirely over the festive period, so it is important to know your options.

Your cancer team and particularly your main points of contact within that team will likely talk to you about what to expect during the break, when your next appointment is and what you should do if you feel unwell.

Make sure to prompt them for contact details so you know what to expect ahead of time.

Check Your Prescriptions

If you are taking medications ahead of time or have medical equipment you need to use as part of your treatment, make sure you have enough to get you through the entire festive season. Get in touch with your doctor to make sure you have any prescriptions.

As well as this, ask your cancer team if you need any additional medications to help with symptoms over the holiday, such as nausea or fatigue, and jot down a list of medications you are likely to take.

Let Your Hosts Know Your Needs

If you are seeing family or friends, they will want to do everything they can to make your time more comfortable, so let them know what you need when it comes to dietary requirements, if you need a quiet room to get away or if you need to leave early.

How Can You Manage Symptoms During Christmas Festivities?

Cancer treatment can have better or worse days, and your cancer team will do what they can to ensure you are comfortable leading up to any Christmas gatherings. However, here are some steps you can take to help relieve common symptoms specific to festive parties.

Only Eat What You Feel Comfortable Eating

Let your host know ahead of time if your food needs to be a particular consistency or if you need a smaller portion. Christmas foods are often rich, filling and flavourful, and this can be overpowering if your mouth or stomach is more sensitive.

If you take anti-sickness tablets, check to see if you need to adjust your dosing schedule.

Set Reminders To Take Your Medicines

If you take pain medication, it is possible to be distracted or forget to take it due to the events of the day, so set reminders on your phone to make sure you take the medications you need at the right time.

Cushion Yourself

If you are sensitive to physical contact, putting a cushion on your lap can help soften any young children or pets giving overeager hugs.

Take Rests Whenever You Need Them

Most Christmas parties will have a quiet room or a place where you can escape the noise and the conversations. Let people know whenever you need to take a break, sit down or even have a lie down during the day.

There are many different forms of cancer, but the majority of cancer cases are accounted for by a handful of very common forms of the disease. These include breast, prostate, lung and bowel cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is much less common although still a significant health issue in Europe, ranking as the seventh most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third or fourth leading cause of cancer-related death, after lung and colorectal cancers.

Each year, approximately 100,000 new cases are diagnosed across the EU, with a similar number of deaths. Incidence and mortality continue to rise, driven largely by ageing populations, with particularly high rates observed in Central and Eastern Europe (e.g. Latvia and Hungary) and Western Europe (e.g. France and Germany).

These numbers may be lower than for other cancers, but they are rising and expected to rise further. 

Research has projected that, globally, the rate of pancreatic cancer incidence will be more than 31 per cent higher in 2040 than in 1990, with women at greater risk than men. In the US, the present lifetime risk is one in 60 for men and one in 56 for women.

Our radiotherapy centre does not just offer treatments for the most common forms of cancer. Indeed, we can and do treat less common forms of the disease than pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer tends to have a comparatively poorer prognosis for patients than other cancers. The main reason for this is that diagnosis tends to occur at a late stage; as with any type of cancer, the earlier the diagnosis, the more that various treatments can achieve in combating it.

What Are The Different Stages Of Pancreatic Cancer?

There are different kinds of pancreatic cancer, the majority of which start at the head of the pancreas.

Whichever type a patient is diagnosed with, there are five stages of the cancer, which indicate how far the disease has progressed and will shape the type of treatment possible, including the role that radiotherapy can play.

These stages are:

• Stage Zero (carcinoma in situ), where the cancer is only at the top layer of the cells and has not grown into the pancreas. Diagnosis this early is rare.
• Stage 1, where the cancer is in the pancreas but has not spread to the lymph nodes or elsewhere in the body.
• Stage 2, where the cancer has started to grow into surrounding tissue and may be in the lymph nodes
• Stage 3, known as locally advanced cancer, where the disease has spread to the lymph nodes and local blood vessels, but not other organs
• Stage 4, where the cancer has metastasised, which means it is now present elsewhere in the body and is classed as secondary cancer

A key distinction is that surgery is usually possible at stages one and two, but not three or four.

How Is Radiotherapy Used In Treating Pancreatic Cancer?

The role of radiotherapy in treating pancreatic cancer can vary. In some cases, it is used alone, whereas in other cases it can be combined with chemotherapy. As with any radiotherapy treatment, the aim is to use radiation to damage the DNA of the tumour and cancer cells, targeting cells and shrinking the tumour.

The combined use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is known as chemoradiotherapy. This can be used to shrink a tumour that is slightly too large to be removed by surgery. Once it has shrunk sufficiently, surgery can be possible.

Radiotherapy can also be used for late-stage pancreatic cancer as a form of palliative care, providing some significant relief from pain.

Patients undergoing radiotherapy will usually receive it through external beam therapy, which means the patient will lie down while a linear accelerator (Linac) machine directs radiation at the affected area.

What Is Stereotactic Radiotherapy And Why Is It Sometimes Used?

In some instances, a higher level of precision is necessary. This is known as stereotactic radiotherapy and will involve highly focused radiation beams being aimed at a small, specific area.

This will be done with the aim of minimising exposure for surrounding tissue and is commonly used to treat various cancers in which tumours are located very close to vital organs.

The sessions will be short and close together, whereas Linac sessions tend to be longer and take place over a greater period of time.

As with any course of radiotherapy, there may be side effects. These can include tiredness, digestive symptoms, sore skin, hair loss and loss of sexual function. However, these symptoms are usually temporary; for example, after a course of radiotherapy ends, lost hair can soon start to grow back.

Our approach to treatment is always to ensure that every individual gets the best possible course tailored to their specific needs, whatever form or stage of pancreatic cancer may be present.

This will take into account all the circumstances of the patient and will always be done with clear communication and explanations about your treatment and care.

Learn more about our advanced radiotherapy treatments for pancreatic cancer on the Amethyst Group website.

Radiotherapy has been around since the turn of the 20^th century, but as our understanding of radiation has improved and the technology for deploying it has developed, so has the capacity to bring about better results for patients.

If you require radiotherapy, there are different kinds you may have depending on your condition. For some, the form used is stereotactic radiotherapy. This involves directing very precise beams of radiation at very small and specific areas, with the purpose of providing the maximum impact on a tumour while minimising exposure to surrounding tissue.

This form of radiotherapy is particularly valuable when the cancer is close to the most important organs, which include the brain. One of the devices through which it can be delivered is Gamma Knife.

What Is Gamma Radiation And Why Is It Used In Radiotherapy?

To understand what Gamma Knife does, it helps to know more about radiation. It comes in four types:

• Alpha particles, which are seldom harmful and not usually useful in radiotherapy, as they cannot penetrate the skin or even objects like clothing or a sheet of paper.
• Beta particles, which can only penetrate part of the way into your skin
• Gamma radiation and X-rays. These can both penetrate the skin as they consist not of particles, but of rays, in the same way light waves or radio waves do.

In the case of X-rays, everyone will be familiar with their use in medical scanning. But gamma rays are more powerful and, apart from their ability to penetrate the body, have a major impact on whatever they encounter. Radiation can destroy cell DNA, which is useful in tackling tumours as it leads to cell death and therefore prevents tumours from growing.

The knowledge of the power of gamma rays led scientists to use them in radiotherapy. But Gamma Knife was a significant step forward.

Despite its name, it isn’t a knife in the normal surgical sense, as there is nothing invasive about its use. After all, it is the property of gamma radiation to penetrate the skin that makes it effective.

Who Invented Gamma Knife?

The device was first devised by the Swedish neurosurgeon Lars Leksell in the 1960s. By 1968, he had the device up and working and he was using it at the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm.

Using a gamma radiation source and directing the beams with great precision, Prof Leksell was soon using it both to treat brain tumours and also other neurological conditions.

Indeed, even epilepsy and nerve conditions like trigeminal neuralgia can be treated as Gamma Knife can target specific nerve pathways with highly focused radiation, disrupting pain signals without the need for open surgery..

As a result, the lives of many cancer patients have been saved or at least extended, while people suffering from other conditions have enjoyed much relief from them, thanks to Gamma Knife.

A second version of the device emerged in 1974 and its use soon spread beyond Stockholm. The first Gamma Knife to be used in the UK arrived in 1985. Four decades on, it is much more widely used and we have extensive experience of using it for different treatments.

We would be likely to use it if you have a brain tumour in a place that is difficult and/or dangerous to reach and cut out with surgery. However, it may also be used in combination with physical surgery, often being used after the removal of a tumour to prevent it from growing back.

What Other Equipment Is Used To Help Gamma Knife?

It might be expected that any invention from 1968 could be improved upon, but while the device itself has been enhanced to an extent, it is still fundamentally the same thing as it was. However, there are other pieces of technology that can help to make the gamma knife even more effective.

Before and even during radiotherapy, MRI, CT and PET scans are used to help direct the beams of radiation with ever greater precision. Among the benefits of the most modern technology is the ability to do this in 3D, which is especially useful when the beams of gamma radiation are directed from different angles to maximise the impact on a tumour.

If you need stereotactic radiotherapy, you may soon be encountering the Gamma Knife. Like any form of radiotherapy, it will bring some side effects, but the precision of the device and the fact that a course of treatment can be delivered in fewer sessions than other forms of radiotherapy will help to minimise this, as well as ensuring it is over sooner.

A growing number of people have benefited from the use of Gamma Knife over the years, including many of our patients.

Learn more about our advanced Gamma Knife treatments on the Amethyst Group website.