A WOMAN successfully treated for breast cancer with a new type of radiotherapy is backing calls for it to become available for all patients with the disease.

Judy Walsh from Brighton has now been cancer free for two years but says having one single dose of radiotherapy instead of a course made a major difference.

Mrs Walsh, who is in her 50s, was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in 2014 following tests at the Montefiore Hospital in Hove.

Her doctors recommended she have breast conserving surgery followed by a single dose of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) instead of having daily treatment.

She said: “IORT appealed to me because the treatment would take place during one operation and therefore less intrusive as it avoided having to visit the hospital every day for several weeks.

“In the days and weeks following surgery, I had no discomfort or side effects.

“If I had to visit the hospital daily for conventional radiotherapy, I would have had more time to dwell on the fact that I had breast cancer.

“Having IORT gave me a more positive mind-set as I felt the tumour had been removed and everything had been dealt with.

“I feel very fortunate that I had IORT as I know this treatment is not accessible to everyone.

“For anyone who is active, this treatment allows you to return to work quickly, provides a speedy recovery, and a great sense of wellbeing.

“I really hope in the future that all patients will be able to have a choice about the type of treatment they receive for their breast cancer, as I know this is currently not the case.

A patient experience study carried out at the hospital showed 89 per cent of patients receiving IORT therapy rated their recovery as good, very good or excellent and 84 per cent returned to full daily activities within four weeks of treatment.

Consultant breast surgeon Charles Zammit, who led the study, said: “The south east is leading the way in the UK with this ‘single dose’ radiotherapy option for early stage breast cancer patients.

The study we conducted among our patients at the Montefiore hospital, demonstrates that women who choose single dose IORT report a positive treatment experience with many returning to normal daily activities very quickly.

“Clinical trial findings have shown that single dose IORT is an effective alternative for appropriate patients which is well tolerated with few side effects.”

IORT has been shown to have a positive impact on quality of life, patient satisfaction and convenience but is not yet routinely available on the NHS

Cancer specialist Richard Simcock from the Sussex Cancer Centre said: “Single dose IORT has an important place in breast cancer care.

“All too often treatment experience is overlooked or not deemed important. Breast cancer patients should be able to make an informed choice on the course of treatment they would prefer, particularly after an often traumatic diagnosis.”