NICE questionnaire on radiotherapy spacer

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is carrying out a project on the procedure ‘Biodegradable spacer insertion to protect the rectum during radiotherapy for prostate cancer.’ They are looking at how well the procedure is working and if it is safe enough to be used more widely in the NHS in the future.

Radiotherapy to treat prostate cancer can damage the rectum (the end part of the bowel) causing bleeding and leakage of faeces (poo). The aim of this procedure is to reduce the amount of radiation reaching the rectum during radiotherapy, which may reduce the damage. It is usually done using general anaesthetic about 1 week before radiotherapy starts. The rectum is pushed slightly away from the prostate by inserting gel or a balloon (spacer) between them. This remains in place during radiotherapy. It is biodegradable, which means it breaks down and is absorbed by the body after about 6 months.

If this is a procedure that you have had, NICE would like to invite you to provide feedback on your experience of it by completing a survey, which should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. If this is a procedure that you have not had, please do not complete this survey.

If you would like to find out more about NICE or the programme please visit their website.