Understanding how patients think about cancer treatment is central to how we support them. With that in mind, Proton International London recently commissioned independent research, surveying a nationally representative sample of 2,006 UK adults to explore the role of side effects, independent research and awareness of treatment options in how people approach a diagnosis.
Three findings in particular stood out.
1. Quality of life is a central concern
The clearest finding from the survey is that quality of life, including avoiding side effects such as incontinence and bowel problems, is not a secondary consideration. For most people, it is a primary one.
Of the UK adults surveyed:
- 77% agree that quality of life after cancer treatment should be a key consideration when a consultant recommends a course of treatment (31% strongly agree, 46% agree)
- Only 4% disagree
For men diagnosed with prostate cancer, where treatments can have an effect on urinary, bowel and sexual function, this matters. Side effects can vary between treatment options, which is why a full conversation about what each option means for daily life is so important.
2. People want to research their own options
The research also confirmed what we often see in practice: patients want to be active participants in decisions about their own care.
71% of UK adults said they would do extensive research of their own to find out more about the treatment options available to them after a cancer diagnosis (31% strongly agree, 40% agree). Only 8% disagreed.
This sits alongside a separate finding that 41% of UK adults are not 100% confident that their consultant or healthcare professional, whether GP, NHS or private, would be able to provide adequate information on all of the treatment options available to them. This finding is not a question of clinician expertise; rather, it reflects the breadth of specialist knowledge across cancer care and the practical limits of any single consultation, which is why independent research often forms part of a patient’s decision-making process.
3. Awareness of proton beam therapy is low
Asked which cancer treatments they were aware of, UK adults responded as follows:
- Chemotherapy: 85%
- Radiotherapy: 78%
- Surgery: 69%
- Stem cell or bone marrow transplants: 61%
- Immunotherapy: 37%
- Hormone therapy: 34%
- Targeted therapy: 27%
- Proton beam therapy: 15%
- Photodynamic therapy: 6%
Of the treatments listed in the survey, proton beam therapy ranked eighth in awareness. Only 15% of UK adults are aware of it, despite it being available in the UK at two centres — University College Hospital in London, where Proton International London is based, and the Christie in Manchester.
This is not unexpected. Proton beam therapy is a recent addition to the UK’s cancer treatment landscape, and access is currently limited to specific clinical cases. But for patients who are actively researching their options, knowing it exists, and understanding whether it might be relevant to their diagnosis, is part of being able to have an informed conversation with their consultant.
What this means for patients
Three things come through clearly from the research:
- Patients care about how they will live post cancer treatment, not only whether they will survive
- They will research their options independently
- Awareness of the full range of available cancer treatments is uneven
For anyone facing a cancer diagnosis, our advice remains simple. Speak openly with your healthcare team. Ask questions. Feel confident in asking whether all of the treatment options that may be relevant to your diagnosis have been considered. You may also choose to seek a second opinion, it is a recognised part of the decision-making process.
If you would like to understand more about proton beam therapy and whether it may be a relevant option for you, you can contact our team or speak to your consultant about a referral or second opinion.
Research conducted by Vital on behalf of Proton International London. Online survey of 2,006 UK adults, 4–6 February 2026. Conducted in accordance with the UK Market Research Society (MRS) code of conduct (2023) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
