A new form of cancer treatment that could help 1,500 patients a year is to receive £150 million in funding,
the Department of Health has announced.
Health secretary Andrew Lansley suggested that proton beam therapy, which
targets cancerous cells with a high-energy beam while protecting surrounding
tissues, will be the next big thing in the development of the disease
treatment.
Mr Lansley said: "This investment will ensure that Britain remains at
the cutting edge of the fight against cancer. This is great news for patients,
as well as for our scientists and academics."
He added that this large investment will help the British healthcare system
become first class and one of the best in the world for the treatment of
intensive cancers found in children, such as spine and brain forms of the
disease.
The therapy is said to offer a more targeted way of treating diseased cells
with precision.
According to Cancer Research UK, 1,550 children are diagnosed with cancer
each year in Britain.
© Adfero Ltd
Cancer treatment news : 16 December 2011
