The ‘Brilliant Invention’ Helping Cancer Patients

When Tim Morgan was diagnosed with chronic lymphatic leukaemia he started going through radiotherapy – but his treatment hit a roadblock when it triggered his claustrophobia.

The 63 year-old from Telford was being treated at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, and the radiotherapy involved a thermoplastic mesh mask moulded to fit the shape of his head and neck. He managed to go through the first two doses but needed a further 10.

“I had a panic attack, I couldn’t do it. The holes are just so tight, I had to stop halfway though,” he said.

He wanted to complete the treatment instead of going on to chemotherapy. That is when he was told that there was a new mask that could help.

Lingen Davies Cancer Support, which helps people living with the disease in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Mid Wales, has funded surface guided radiotherapy technology (SGRT) on two radiation machines at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

This allows patients to receive radiology with an open-face mask and is something not widely available on the NHS.

“You can see, you can open your eyes, you can breathe through your nose and your mouth,” Morgan said.

“The full face mask, you can’t even open your lips. I still found it slightly claustrophobic but towards the end I got quite used to it.”

With the new mask, staff also helped Morgan with breathing exercises.

He said the mask had made a real difference, since his claustrophobia is something he has suffered with since he was a child.

“It’s a brilliant, brilliant invention, I wouldn’t be able to do it otherwise,” he said.

“The panic attack I had, I just could not go ahead with it, but this other one it makes it so much easier.”

“In the future as we develop this service, more patients who would ordinarily refuse treatment or require sedation can instead be offered an alternative option,” said Amanda Welsh, chief dosimetrist at the hospital.

“Who knows where this cutting-edge technology will take us in the future.”

Naomi Atkin, CEO of Lingen Davies, added: “This technology has completely transformed the experiences of those in our region receiving radiotherapy treatment.

“Hearing Tim’s lived experience highlights the huge difference SGRT has made for those facing cancer treatment.

“SGRT is not yet widely offered in NHS Trusts but we want to ensure people across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Mid Wales have access to its wide-ranging benefits, including reduced treatment and waiting times as well as improved wellbeing and quality of life.”