Hello Jackie35 and thanks for posting,

Radiotherapy for breast cancer that has spread to the bones is more usually given to control any symptoms that occur as a result of this happening, for example pain. Other treatment options with medicines that travel around the body tend to be preferred when breast cancer and other types of cancers have spread. This is because these treatments have a wider reach than radiation which is only a local treatment directed at a specific area.    

I think you are asking about a particular type of radiation treatment called stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR). This has become more widely available over the last couple of years in the NHS as a result of NHS England commissioning it, but as far as I know only to treat cancers that have spread in very specific situations and not when the cancer is found to have spread at the time of diagnosis (de novo). 

In general when radiotherapy is an established part of standard treatment it is funded by the NHS. but I don't think this is the same for newer and not so well established radiotherapy treatments.  This is why SABR in the context of cancer that has spread was reviewed by the NHS in England before it was decided to make it available albeit in particular circumstances.  This may have something to do with how much evidence there is to underpin this treatment in different situations, it is possible that there isn't as much data in people with cancers that has spread de novo.

Please give us a ring if you want to talk anything over. Our number is 0808 800 4040 and we are around weekdays 9-5. If you haven't already found it, we have information about cancer and how it is treated on our website at this link.  

Best wishes, 

Julia