Improving the safety of repeat radiotherapy
Improving the safety of repeat radiotherapy
Keywords: Repeat radiotherapy (reirradiation), survivorship, side effects, head and neck, lung, paediatric cancers
Overview
Radiotherapy is used for around half of all cancer patients, and more people are living longer because of improved treatment options. However, some patients experience their cancer returning or new tumour can develop in an area because of their previous radiotherapy treatment.
Clinicians may recommend repeat radiotherapy (known as reirradiation), which can be effective, but also carries additional risks. This is because healthy organs may have already received radiation during previous treatments.
We are trying to understand the total radiation dose that tissues receive across multiple treatments by:
- Combining and mapping radiation doses from past and current treatments
- Understanding how radiation given over time affects the risk of side effects.
A key part of this project is ensuring that we focus on outcomes that matter most to patients. To do this, we are working closely with patients and the public to guide our priorities and help interpret our findings.
Meet the research team on this project
Project summary for the project you'll be involved in
How can you contribute?
We welcome input from cancer patients, survivors, carers, patient advocates and members of the public interested in cancer research.
You can contribute in several ways:
Participate in Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) workshops
We are organising interactive workshops where participants can share their perspectives and help identify which treatment outcomes and side effects should be prioritised in our research. The first workshop is planned for October/November 2026, supported by Vocal.
Join our Advisory Board
We are looking for a small number of patient representatives to join our advisory board. This board brings together patients alongside national and international experts to provide advice and guidance on the direction of our research. Your perspective will help ensure that the work we do focuses on what matters most to patients.
- Meetings take place once a year and last around two hours.
- Members may also occasionally be asked to review short research summaries or provide feedback by email.
No scientific background is required. Lived experience and perspectives are what matter most.
Contact information and how to find out more
- Eliana Vasquez Osorio and Ruth Forman for general information
- Emily Weaver-Holding from VOCAL for PPIE specific information
This project is funded by the UKRI – Future Leaders Fellowship
Community Contributions to Research
