Proton beam therapy comes to the Christie Hospital
Two young cancer survivors help launch equipment which saved their lives.
Last updated 22nd Jun 2017
The UK’s first NHS high energy proton beam therapy equipment has been delivered to the Christie this week in a move which could see cancer patients getting treatment that was only previously available overseas.
Two former patients 11 year-old Lucy Thomas from Ramsbottom and Emma Payton from Gatley were there to press the button which activated the crane used to drop the cyclotron – which produces the beam- into place at the hospital.
Lucy and Emma had to travel to the USA for their proton treatment causing a lot of upheaval amongst their family and making it more stressful.
Proton beam therapy targets complex and harder to reach tumours more precisely with less damage to surrounding tissues, which can lead to improving the quality of life for patients following treatment.
The specialist cancer centre is one of only two trusts nationally where NHS high energy PBT centres are being developed. The other is University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH)
Lucy told Key 103 it was great to be asked to come to the Christie and get involved with the launch of this life-saving equipment which will start treating patients next year.