Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men worldwide, and it is responsible for over 11,000 deaths in the UK alone each year.

However, new hope has emerged for prostate cancer patients as British scientists have unveiled a new breakthrough treatment that could revolutionize how the disease is treated.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that affects the prostate gland, which is located just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra.

The prostate gland produces fluids that are essential for the transportation and nourishment of sperm during ejaculation. The cancerous cells in the prostate gland can grow and multiply, causing the gland to enlarge and potentially spread to other parts of the body.

Current Treatment Methods for Prostate Cancer

The current treatment methods for prostate cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. These treatments can be effective, but they can also have significant side effects and risks.

For example, surgery can result in erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence, while radiation therapy can cause fatigue, diarrhea, and skin irritation.

How Does the New Treatment Work?

The new breakthrough treatment for prostate cancer involves a specialized type of radiotherapy called high-energy proton beam therapy.

Proton therapy is a form of radiation therapy that uses protons, rather than traditional X-rays, to target cancer cells. Protons are positively charged particles that can deliver high doses of radiation directly to cancer cells, while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

During proton therapy, a machine called a cyclotron accelerates protons to very high speeds and then directs them to the site of the cancer.

The precise targeting of the protons means that the radiation dose to surrounding healthy tissues is much lower than with traditional radiation therapy.

Benefits of Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer Patients

Proton therapy has several advantages over traditional radiation therapy for prostate cancer patients. These include:.

Less damage to surrounding healthy tissue, which reduces the risk of side effects
Higher dose of radiation to cancer cells, which improves treatment outcomes
Shorter treatment time, which can reduce the burden on patients and their families
Reduced risk of secondary cancers, as the radiation dose to healthy tissues is lower

Success Rates of Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Initial studies of proton therapy for prostate cancer have been very promising.

For example, a recent study conducted at the University of Birmingham found that proton therapy was significantly more effective than traditional radiation therapy in controlling the growth of prostate cancer cells. The study also found that proton therapy had a significantly lower risk of side effects than traditional radiation therapy.

Another study conducted at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland found that proton therapy was as effective as surgery in curing prostate cancer, with similar rates of long-term survival and low rates of side effects.

Availability of Proton Therapy in the UK

At present, proton therapy is only available for a limited number of cancer patients in the UK, as there are currently only two proton therapy centers in the country.

However, the Department of Health and Social Care has announced plans to open two additional proton therapy centers in 2020, which will increase access to proton therapy for cancer patients.

Conclusion

The new breakthrough treatment for prostate cancer using proton therapy is a highly promising development in the treatment of the disease.

The success rates of proton therapy in controlling the growth of prostate cancer cells and minimizing side effects are very encouraging, and the expansion of proton therapy centers in the UK will provide greater access to this treatment for cancer patients.