Children with cancer are now being accepted for treatment at the ProCure
Proton Therapy Center in Oklahoma, where a wide range of tumors are
treated with proton
therapy, an alternative to X-ray radiation that spares healthy
tissue and results in far fewer short- and long-term treatment side
effects.
“Providing children with greater access to proton therapy is at the very
core of ProCure’s mission”
According to the American
Cancer Society, cancer is the leading cause of non-accidental death
in children. In 2009, more than 10,000 new childhood cancer cases were
diagnosed in children up to age 14 and nearly 1,400 deaths were
attributed to the disease.
“Proton therapy is a particularly important treatment option for
children who experience more serious short- and long-term side effects
from X-ray radiation than adults,” said W.C. Goad, M.D., medical
director of the Center and a founder of Radiation
Medicine Associates (RMA), the radiation oncology practice that
provides clinical care at the Center. “Since their bodies are still
growing, children are more sensitive to the damage to healthy tissue
caused by X-rays.”
Clinical studies suggest that proton therapy reduces the risk of growth
and developmental problems, as well as resulting in fewer recurring or
secondary tumors. “The very good news is that many children diagnosed
with cancer survive and thrive thanks to the advances in treatment,”
said Dr. Goad. “We need to do all we can to take measures that cut down
on side effects so they have not only a long life but an excellent
quality of life.”
“When we heard about the benefits of proton therapy, we knew it was the
right treatment,” said Susan Ralston, founder of the Pediatric
Proton Foundation and mother of Jacob, who was treated with proton
therapy at the Proton Therapy Center at The University of Texas M. D.
Anderson Cancer Center in 2007. “What parent wouldn’t want to give their
child the opportunity to not only beat their cancer, but to limit the
amount of radiation they are exposed to so they have the opportunity to
grow up tall, achieve a 4.0 on their report card and live a happy,
healthy life.”
“Providing children with greater access to proton therapy is at the very
core of ProCure’s mission,” said John Cameron, Ph.D., founder and
president of ProCure Treatment Centers, Inc., which also has a center
under construction in suburban Chicago and four others in development.
“We plan to keep building centers until every child and every adult who
could benefit from proton therapy, has access to this important
treatment option.”