E217: Dr. Richard Shaffer - Radiotherapy for Benign Conditions

Trigger Warning: this episode discusses cancer, cancer treatment, benign conditions, side effects and long term conditions.

Episode 217: Part of the Education and workforce development series (part 72)

Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Dr. Richard Shaffer is a Radiation Oncologist and a prominent expert in the use of radiotherapy for treating benign disease, including Dupuytren’s, Ledderhose, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, keloid scars, osteoarthritis, tendinopathy and bursitis. Since starting his practice in 2011, Dr. Shaffer has treated more than 3000 benign patients and provided training and mentoring to fellow consultants starting benign radiotherapy practices. He co-wrote the 2015 Royal College of Radiologists guidelines for benign conditions and is the founder and President of the International Society for Radiotherapy for Benign Conditions (www.iorbc.com).

This episode is a deep dive into Richard’s career, history of radiotherapy for benign conditions, dose and fractionation along with potential side effects.

CPD Reflection Points:

1. Identify common benign indications that can be treated by radiotherapy.
2. Understand appropriate dose and fractionation for benign conditions.
3. Recognise the risks and benefits of treating benign disease with ionising radiation.

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Links from the Episode:

• Theralife clinics
• Dupuytrens UK
• Joint pain practice 
• Radiotherapy Academy for Benign Conditions
• International organisation for radiotherapy for benign conditions

Research links from the Episode:

• Recommendations for using radiotherapy for benign disease in the UK
• Radiotherapy for benign disease; assessing the risk of radiation-induced cancer following exposure to intermediate dose radiation

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Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

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