Most of us know someone battling cancer. Millions of people will be diagnosed with the disease this year, but medical experts are constantly making advancements in treatment. One of those advancements is a new type of radiation therapy.
Researchers at the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute are developing a type of radiation that they say is less invasive. Proton Therapy, which uses protons, is different from traditional radiation that uses X-rays. Dr. Charles Nichols used to work as a Radiation Oncologist in Panama City, but he is now working at the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute and says Proton Therapy is “...the next level in radiation therapy.”
“In Proton Therapy, we are able to control the depth of penetration of the radiation beam. That’s something we have never been able to do with conventional photons,” Dr. Nichols explains. Proton Therapy focuses directly on the tumor. Therefore, there’s “a very, very low risk of normal tissue injury,” according to Dr. Nichols.
The University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute in Jacksonville is the closest Proton Therapy facility to our area.
To find out more about Proton Therapy and the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute, click here.