Hundreds of children with rare cancers are to benefit from two new centres that will offer a cutting edge treatment called Proton Beam Therapy, the Government has announced.
By 2017 two hospitals will be offering the treatment, which is better than standard therapies at killing cancerous tumours without damaging heath tissue.
Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary, last night announced that University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and The Christie Hospital in Manchester had been chosen to house the centres.
The Department of Health has earmarked up to £250 million to develop the facilities, which are particularly useful for fighting childhood cancers, and those of the brain, bones and prostate.
Children treated with Proton Beam Therapy, a type of radiotherapy which uses high-energy particle beams to destroy cancer cells, have better success rates while it also reduces side effects such as deafness, loss of IQ and secondary cancers.
Mr Lansley said: “Developing a national proton beam therapy service is vital to ensuring our cancer facilities are world class.
“We have always said that it is patient outcomes which matter, and to get the best for patients we must always be looking to push the boundaries.
“In addition to improved success rates proton beam therapy reduces the side-effects which patients, particularly children, can suffer as a result of traditional forms of cancer treatment.
“Once this service is in place, The Christie and UCLH will boast unparalleled cancer facilities. It will mean more patients will be able to get this treatment, including those for whom travelling abroad for long periods is not possible.”
In all, about 1,500 people a year will benefit, he said. About two-thirds receiving the treatment are under 25.
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