A project by the GREISI group that reduces the number of radiotherapy sessions, pollution and costs has been awarded a prize

The ECO-RAD project: the economic and environmental impact of ultra-hypofractionated radiotherapy in breast cancer, led by the Radiotherapy Oncology Department at the Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital in Lleida (HUAV) and the GREISI group at the Institute of Biomedical Research (IRBLleida), has been awarded the prize for best practices in Climate Action and Planetary Health in the hospital sector, organised by the Council of Medical Associations of Catalonia (CCMC).

The award was presented yesterday in Barcelona as part of the second edition of these awards, which recognise projects, professionals and healthcare centres committed to the climate emergency and to building a more sustainable and equitable healthcare system.

The award-winning study demonstrates that clinical innovation can act as a genuine lever for change towards a more sustainable healthcare model when it incorporates a planetary health perspective into clinical practice. The initiative identifies medical transport as a key area for intervention to reduce pollutant emissions, economic costs and regional inequalities, particularly in rural and geographically dispersed areas such as the Lleida Health Region.

The project analyses the impact of ultra-hypofractionated radiotherapy on breast cancer patients, a technique that reduces the number of treatment sessions from 15 to 5 whilst maintaining the same therapeutic efficacy. This reduction brings direct benefits to patients, but also has a significant positive impact from an environmental and economic perspective. According to the study, based on a retrospective analysis of 432 patients in the province of Lleida, the average cost of medical transport is reduced from €810 to €270 per patient, whilst CO₂ emissions associated with travel are reduced from 147 to 49 kg per treatment.

Dr Virginia García, a specialist in the Radiotherapy Oncology Department at HUAV and a researcher involved in the project, emphasises that "the adoption of hypofractionated regimens not only maintains standards of care quality, but also improves patients' quality of life, promotes more efficient care and contributes to the sustainability of the healthcare system".

Text: HUAV Press and Communications