One in five NHS radiotherapy machines used to treat cancer patients is “worryingly” outdated and cannot deliver modern life-saving treatment, experts have warned.
Data from trusts with radiotherapy centres show that 18 per cent of equipment in use is more than 10 years old, and unable to deliver recent advances in cancer treatment.
Charities said the findings were “very worrying” and called for an urgent injection of funds so that patients with cancers such as lung and prostate disease can be given guided treatment, which is more effective and minimises side-effects.