Cancer treatment landmark for Wales

THE first cancer patient to be treated with proton beam therapy in the UK has received their first session of therapy in Wales.

The Rutherford Cancer Centre in Newport announced on Wednesday that its first patient had been treated with the therapy, which enables tumours in areas close to major organs to be treated with radiotherapy.

Proton Partners International is building a network of Rutherford Cancer Centres across the UK to be able to provide cancer patients with proton beam therapy treatment as well as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, imaging and wellbeing services.

Previously, patients had to travel to countries such as the United States or Switzerland to receive proton beam therapy.

Professor Karol Sikora, chief medical officer of Proton Partners International, said: “This is a landmark moment in UK cancer care and it is a significant step in transforming the way patients are treated.

“Proton beam therapy has been available abroad for many years, so it is hugely important that the UK is now able to offer this type of cancer care.

“There is a debate around how many patients are suitable for proton beam therapy.

“We do know that proton beam therapy is effective in the treatment of children as it reduces damage to surrounding healthy tissue, and it is also proven to work in tackling hardto-reach tumours.”