Proton beam therapy use increasing in UK
Proton Partners International (PPI), which works to advance cancer care in the UK, has reported that demand for proton beam therapy for cancer patients has increased in the UK this year. The company reported that 25 patients have been or are in the process of being treated with high energy proton beam therapy through its Rutherford Cancer Centre network. According to PPI, the therapy has been used to treat a variety of cancers including breast, head and neck, prostate and hip.
Mike Moran, CEO of PPI, which operates the Rutherford Cancer Centres, said: “We were extremely proud to introduce high energy proton beam therapy to the UK and as awareness of the treatment grows, demand has increased. We expect this trend will continue as other facilities offering PBT begin operating. This year has proved to be a landmark moment because, generally, it removes the need for patients having to be sent abroad for treatment. We should be clear that proton beam therapy is not a panacea in terms of cancer care but is proven to deliver benefits across a range of cancers. For example, it is well established that it is particularly effective in the treatment of children and hard-to-reach tumours as it reduces toxicity in the body.”
Since the opening of the Rutherford Cancer Centre South Wales’ proton therapy suite, Proton Partners International has since opened two further centres in England – the Rutherford Cancer Centre North East in Northumberland and the Rutherford Cancer Centre Thames Valley in Reading. The centres are already treating patients with chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments and will offer proton beam therapy from 2019 when the machines have been commissioned.