[23rd October  2025]

We’re delighted to see the latest GUT Blog post focusing on the recently published British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) practice guidance on the management of acute and chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and complications as a result of treatment for cancer.

The blog, written by Professor Jervoise Andreyev, PRDA Medical Advisor and Lead Author of the updated guidance, discusses both the acute and long-term gastrointestinal side effects of cancer treatments — including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

The post emphasises that quality of life after cancer treatment remains a key priority for many people:

“Patients are not just interested in a treatment plan for their cancer; they need help for a variety of short- and long-term issues caused by the cancer and its treatment.”

Professor Andreyev also highlights the need for ongoing improvement in supportive care:

“Supportive care for patients with and after cancer could be a lot better. A step in the right direction will be when every unit has a gastroenterologist who says this is their specialist interest.”

We would like to thank Professor Jervoise Andreyev for his longstanding support of the Pelvic Radiation Disease Association (PRDA) and for his continued dedication to improving the lives of people living with the long-term effects of pelvic radiotherapy. His passion for raising awareness and driving better recognition and care for those affected by PRD has been instrumental in advancing understanding and improving care.

PRDA fully endorses this call for improved access to specialist care for people experiencing the late effects of pelvic radiotherapy and continues to advocate for equitable, high-quality support for all those living with PRD.

Our PRD Best Practice Pathway offers a detailed framework specifically addressing pelvic radiotherapy late effects, which can be used to support the practical application of the updated guidance. Used alongside the BSG guidance, this pathway helps clinicians provide timely, specialist care and improve quality of life for patients living with the long-term consequences of cancer treatment.