NCRI 2017 | Why the NHS has timed its investment into proton beam therapy well

The NHS is opening its first two high energy proton beam therapy centers in 2018 and 2020, at great financial cost, after many years of lobbying from the medical community. However, speaking from the 2017 National Cancer Research Institue (NCRI) Conference in Liverpool, UK, Adrian Crellin, MB, BChir, MA, FRCP, FRCR, of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK, hypothesizes that these years convincing the government to invest may have allowed the UK’s entry into the proton beam therapy field to come at the perfect time. Dr Crellin highlights great recent advancements in the technology used in the treatment, which will allow for the essential and proper testing of uncertain indications in order to get the most out of the treatment as soon as possible.