Patients' stories about radiotherapy

Stories from patients

Helping more people survive cancer is the aim of everything we do. Read stories from people who have been treated with radiotherapy, and how research has made a difference to them.

Patients' stories

I was really pleased to have joined the trial because I know the side effects from regular radiotherapy could have been far more severe. I feel lucky that the high quality of my treatment has helped me lead a regular life again.

- Oliver

Trialling a new form of radiotherapy

Oliver from London was diagnosed with tonsil cancer in 2009 and took part in a Cancer Research UK trial of a new, more precise way of giving radiotherapy.

I never complain about it, because I’m alive. Since having cancer, I’ve gone back to college to train in British Sign Language and am a specialist support worker for children with special needs. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for research and the medical care I got.

- Laurel

Life after cancer

Laurel from London was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2006. After both chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment she has been cancer free for over 10 years. But the treatment was tough and she struggled to swallow and walk at times. Today, although she has suffered permanent hearing loss due to treatment, Laurel remains positive.

Read about oesophageal cancer treatments

Current research

From making radiotherapy more precise to finding ways to personalise the treatment, our researchers are working hard to ensure more people survive cancer.

Find out more about our current research

Past research

Thanks to research, we’ve helped shape modern radiotherapy that's used to treat patients today.

Find out more about past research

Explore our timeline of cancer research

Further information

Want to find more information about our research or radiotherapy?