Kirkby Lonsdale mum-of-two is first in region to be given groundbreaking new bladder cancer treatment
A mum-of-two from Kirkby Lonsdale has become the first patient in the region to receive innovative treatment for bladder cancer.
Rosemere Cancer Foundation has funded the launch of the treatment, making Lancashire and south Cumbria’s regional specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre, Rosemere Cancer Centre at the Royal Preston Hospital, only the sixth out of the UK’s 62 specialist cancer treatment centres currently able to offer it.
The BCON (Bladder Carbogen and Nicotinamide) radiotherapy treatment, which is recommended by NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), is designed to maximise the effectiveness of conventional
radiotherapy treatment in bladder cancer patients for whom chemotherapy is unsuitable.
It involves patients breathing carbogen (a mixture of 95 per cent oxygen and 5 per cent carbon dioxide) through a mask continuously during their radiotherapy treatment, having taken a dose of nicotinamide (vitamin B3) prior
to treatment.
Therapeutic radiographer Terry Laing, who requested £7,700 from Rosemere Cancer Foundation for the masks, oxygen monitors, oxygen cylinders and other equipment needed for BCON radiotherapy, explained: “If a bladder tumour outgrows its blood supply, parts of it can become deoxygenated.
"This is called hypoxia and hypoxic tumours can be more resistant to radiotherapy, making them harder to treat.
“BCON involves nicotinamide vitamin tablets taken before radiotherapy alongside high dose oxygen – carbogen – breathed continuously throughout treatment. Combined, these supply the cancerous cells with oxygen, making them more sensitive to radiotherapy.
“There is a wealth of clinical evidence supporting BCON. Going forwards, we’re delighted to now be able to offer it as a standard treatment to those patients who are most likely to benefit from it.
"We’re expecting approximately 22 patients a year to undergo BCON radiotherapy. We’re very grateful to Rosemere Cancer Foundation and its supporters for helping us with set-up costs.”
Rosemere Cancer Centre has already treated its first BCON radiotherapy patient.
Retired biology teacher and mother-of-two Jane Binney, of Whittington, near Kirkby Lonsdale, finished four weeks of BCON radiotherapy earlier this month.
Jane, 84, said: “My thanks to my consultant Prof Alison Birtle, Terry and everyone at Rosemere Cancer Centre for being so kind and upbeat. I was told I was going to be the centre’s first BCON patient, which makes me appreciative and lucky in respect of both my diagnosis and treatment.
“I had noticed that I needed to go the toilet more frequently but thought this was an older lady issue until I saw blood in my urine. I saw my GP, who was very on the ball in that he referred me for a scan. Two days after the scan, I went to A&E because of passing blood. They were able to get the scan results, which showed a tumour.
“I was operated on immediately, which happened to be on my birthday last October. I have now completed my BCON radiotherapy, which included treatment sessions on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve. I feel everyone involved has worked their hardest to help me.”
Sue Swire, fundraising manager for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to have been able to end 2025 and start 2026 supporting the launch of BCON radiotherapy at Rosemere Cancer Centre. It’s such a positive project to get behind. We wish Jane all the best for her continuing recovery.”