S2646
RTT - Patient experience and quality of life
ESTRO 2026
were essential, whereas others were indifferent, often citing age, desensitisation, or prioritising health outcomes. Short periods of uncovering (<60 seconds) were generally tolerated, but extended exposure was reported as uncomfortable or distressing. Most participants were willing to undergo additional imaging if required for accuracy, though some raised concerns around travel burden and fatigue. Across all groups, treatment accuracy and survival consistently outweighed concerns about modesty, pain, or
(SGRT) has enabled the possibility of tattoo less patient positioning, thereby reducing the need for permanent skin markings. While this represents a technological advancement, limited data exist regarding patient perspectives on tattoo versus tattoo less approaches across tumour sites and demographics. This study aimed to retrospectively explore patients’ experiences and attitudes towards tattoos, to determine whether preferences varied by treatment site, age, or background, and to challenge assumptions regarding patient choice in radiotherapy
appearance. Conclusion:
setup procedures. Material/Methods:
This study highlights the need for personalised radiotherapy pathways, showing that patient preferences are diverse and cannot be assumed. While SGRT provides a tattoo less approach, acceptance depends on factors such as modesty and cultural considerations rather than a simple aversion to tattoos. Findings from this work has informed practice by embedding shared decision-making at treatment planning promoting considered implementation of technology for tattoo less localisation options. Keywords: SGRT, Patient experience, tattoo less Digital Poster 308 Delicate Skin, Determined Care: Breast Cancer Radiotherapy in Rare Dermatologic Skin Conditions Simon D Goldsworthy 1 , Saiqa Spensley 1 , David De Berker 2 , Urmila Barthakur 1 , Abigail Thornley 3 , Kimberley Taylor 3 , Aaron Eve 4 , Alice Koloska 4 , Lisa Durrant 1 , Racquel Smith 1 , Elinor Barker 3 , Robin Jhagra 5 , Sajeevani Jayawardena 1 , Charlotte Atkinson 1 1 Beacon Oncology, Musgrove park hospital, Somerset NHS Foundation TRust, Taunton, United Kingdom. 2 Dermatology, Musgrove park hospital, Somerset NHS Foundation TRust, Taunton, United Kingdom. 3 Beacon radiotherapy, Musgrove park hospital, Somerset NHS Foundation TRust, Taunton, United Kingdom. 4 Beacon radiotherapy physics, Musgrove park hospital, Somerset NHS Foundation TRust, Taunton, United Kingdom. 5 Radiotherapy and Oncology, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom Purpose/Objective: Rare dermatologic conditions can complicate breast cancer radiotherapy. We present two patients – one with Sweet’s syndrome and one with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) – to illustrate challenges and implications for practice. Published reports describe radiotherapy- induced Sweet’s syndrome ¹ and successful breast radiotherapy in EB ² , but prospective photographic and patient-reported data are lacking. The aim was to evaluate the safety and patient experience of breast
A retrospective qualitative study was conducted with patients who had previously received radiotherapy requiring tattoos for treatment positioning. Patients were identified across the catchment population to ensure demographic variability. Patients were contacted by telephone and interviewed using a semi- structured interview guide. An iterative peer-review process was applied quarterly during data collection to challenge bias, preconceptions and enhance thematic validity. Transcripts were thematically analysed across breast, prostate, and female pelvic cohorts to identify emergent themes, differences and trends. The iterative process refined questions related to modesty when using SGRT. Results:
Figure 1: Visual representation of themes identifiedAcross all cohorts, tattoos were largely described as small, functional, and generally well tolerated. Objections were raised in relation to pain during application, needle aversion, cultural or religious belief, and visibility issues for those with darker skin tones. While tattoos were favoured by some for the certainty they provided in treatment accuracy and for reducing repeated modesty breaches, others preferred tattoo less methods to avoid pain, permanent markings, or for cultural reasons. Modesty was a polarising theme: for some, dignity, privacy, and the presence of female-only staff
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