Proton beam trial begins for breast cancer patients

A pioneering NHS trial is underway to assess whether proton beam therapy can help certain breast cancer patients.

The world-first study will compare the hi-tech treatment with standard radiotherapy for those considered to be at higher risk of long-term heart problems.

The treatment uses charged particles rather than x-rays to target tumours more precisely.

The trial will include 192 patients across 22 UK treatment centres.

Each year, around 30,000 breast cancer patients in the UK are offered radiotherapy following surgery.  The treatment is typically effective, but for some it can lead to heart problems later down the line.  This is because the lymph nodes and breast tissue being targeted are close to the heart, or because the patient already has an underlying increased risk of heart problems.

It is hoped that the proton beam treatment will minimise the amount of radiation delivered to the heart during traditional treatment while still targeting the cancerous cells.

Dr Anna Kirby, radiotherapy lead for the trial, said it had taken a significant effort to secure funding for and launch the trial.

She went on to say “We have already learned a huge amount about how to optimise and standardise current breast cancer radiotherapy practices alongside optimising proton beam therapy approaches.

“We hope that the Parable trial will help us to further personalise radiotherapy treatments and ensure that people can access the radiotherapy approach that is best for them, regardless of where they live.”

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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