Proton Beam Cancer Therapy

[Cleoriff]

New research suggests that Proton Beam therapy for cancer causes fewer side effects than radiotherapy.

Some will remember in 2014 the therapy was at the centre of a controversy over NHS care for children when the parents of Ashya King took him out of hospital in Hampshire to obtain the treatment abroad.

This therapy in the UK has only been available to treat eye cancers up to now.

However, further research in Oxford UK,  has had positive results

The treatment allows high-energy protons to be targeted directly at a tumour, reducing the dose to surrounding tissues and organs.

In general, it gives fewer side effects compared with high-energy X-ray treatments.

It can be used to treat spinal cord tumours, sarcomas near the spine or brain, prostate cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer and some children's cancers. It is hoped to start providing this treatment to 1500 patients by April 2018

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35440016

[Bambino]

Thanks for posting this @Cleoriff. Any news about advancements in treatments is always welcome news.

[Cleoriff]

I must admit I was quite overjoyed when I read it @Bambino

I thought after the 2014 furore with the 4 year old child, it would be a long time before we ever saw this treatment here. Statements were made by some professionals that this would not benefit the child in question.

Those comments appeared to have a negative impact on the viability of proton beam therapy overall..

A real good job that ego and 'competition to be the first' does not get in the way of any medical advancement.

[Bambino]

Maybe ego and competition don't get in the way, but unfortunately, money does.

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/27/gilead-may-face-legal-action-if-it-doesnt-cut-prices-mass-ag.html

[Anonymous]

This is a welcome piece of news after hearing of many people dying or afflicted with this disease

hopefully it will help in the fight against cancer 

[jonsie]

Thanks for posting  @Cleoriff it's nice to wake up to good news. So much hope for the welfare of our children and their children.

[Cleoriff]

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@Bambino wrote:

Maybe ego and competition don't get in the way, but unfortunately, money does.

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/27/gilead-may-face-legal-action-if-it-doesnt-cut-prices-mass-ag.html

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Ah well....now we are talking about the prices drug companies charge which is a different matter and one that enrages me. This happens when they are allowed the monopoly in distribution and manufacturing. They will always argue that by charging these prices they can invest in research etc. I feel research should be funded in other ways and allow drugs to be purchased by Health Authorities at a reasonable price, thereby giving more patients the same chance of recovery..

[ComaChameleon]

My mom had it back in 2013 as a prevention after her breastcancer surgery (they completelly cut it out, but after she got the therapy in case there would be little parts of the tumor left).

It's common here instead of the radioactive therapy.

She has still oedemas, but gets lymphatic drainage one day a week.

Still better as radiation with radioactive stuff.