Proton beam therapy centre opens in Berkshire to meet rising demand

Rutherford Cancer Centre has opened its new proton beam therapy suite in Reading. It will serve all of London as well as international patients.

The Thames Valley centre has a permanent consultation facility at Harley Street, which will allow patients to have their consultations in London before receiving treatment at the Thames Valley centre. First treatments have begun and include a brain, and head and neck patient.

Rutherford Health chief medical officer Professor Karol Sikora said: “UK cancer care has made major strides over the past year thanks to a complementary mix of private and public facilities but rising demand for precision radiotherapy means that there is still some way to go. Based on treatment rates in other advanced European countries, the UK may need approximately 18 proton beam therapy facilities in the years to come.”

Each Rutherford Cancer Centre provides imaging, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and proton beam therapy as well as a suite of diagnostic services. A fourth Rutherford Cancer Centre is currently under construction in Liverpool.

Picture: Rutherford Health chief medical officer Professor Karol Sikora and Thames Valley centre manager Laura Geer with proton beam therapy patient Timon Colegrove.

Published on page 28 of the September 2019 issue of RAD Magazine.