New abdominal compression belt supports more precise radiotherapy treatment

22 July 2026

Velindre Cancer Service has successfully introduced a new abdominal compression belt for patients receiving abdominal Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR).

The abdominal compression belt is a motion management device worn around the waist during treatment. By gently reducing movement caused by breathing, the belt helps keep the treatment area more stable. This allows radiotherapy to be delivered more accurately while reducing radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue.

Thomas Rackley, Clinical Director for Radiation Services at Velindre Cancer Service, said: "We're delighted to have successfully introduced abdominal compression for our SABR patients. This technique helps us deliver highly precise radiotherapy while reducing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, supporting the best possible outcomes for patients. It's the result of a huge amount of work from colleagues across multiple disciplines, and we'd like to thank everyone who has helped make this long-standing ambition a reality."

Introducing abdominal compression has been a long-term ambition for the Radiotherapy Department, with a number of motion management approaches explored over the years.

Procurement of the belt began in 2024, with colleagues from medical, radiotherapy physics, and radiography teams working together to bring the service to Velindre. Implementation work started in late 2025, with the goal of treating the first patient by April 2026.

That milestone was successfully achieved, and the service is now supporting its fourth patient. The first three patients treated using the belt have all received Liver SABR.

Building on success

Work is already underway to further develop the service.

The next phase will see the abdominal compression belt integrated with the Surface Guided Radiotherapy (SGRT) capabilities available across Velindre's linear accelerator fleet. This advancement is expected to be introduced in the coming month.

The introduction of the abdominal compression belt is the result of a truly multidisciplinary effort involving colleagues from medical, radiotherapy physics, and radiography teams.

We'd like to thank everyone who has contributed to bringing this service to Velindre, from those involved in the recent procurement and implementation work to the many colleagues who have championed and supported the development of abdominal compression. Every contribution has played a part in making this advancement possible.

This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, helping ensure patients across Wales can benefit from the most precise and effective radiotherapy treatments possible.

Velindre Cancer Service provides specialist cancer care to more than 1.5 million people across South East Wales and beyond. As part of Velindre University NHS Trust, services are delivered through a hub-and-spoke model, with Velindre Cancer Centre serving as a specialist treatment, teaching and research centre for non-surgical oncology.

A wide range of treatments, including chemotherapy, systemic anti-cancer treatments (SACT), radiotherapy and specialist palliative care, are delivered by Velindre Cancer Service.