From the March 2022 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
As of January 2022, there are upward of 800 proton therapy trials that have been conducted worldwide. Over the past 10 years alone, the National Library of Medicine (NIH/NLM) has seen over 1,600 peer-reviewed articles on proton therapy. Despite these realities, some private insurers deny access to proton therapy, citing limited evidence that the treatment is more effective than traditional radiation.
Clinical and leadership teams considering proton therapy must ensure they have the latest technological advancements and applications to help amplify the clinical advantages of protons. Additional clinical research, peer-reviewed studies, and clinical trials are needed to help secure wider support and adoption.
The goal of any cancer treatment is to provide the best possible outcome to their patients. Proton centers with affordable compact systems allow patients to receive treatments closer to home when they would otherwise have to travel hundreds of miles. Minimal physical side effects allow many patients to continue their regular hobbies and activities during treatments, allowing reduced recovery time and a higher quality of life.
Proton therapy can benefit everyone because it helps maintain a happier, healthier, more productive society. Proton therapy represents the future of radiation therapy by being a critical tool in the cancer treatment ecosystem for clinicians working to transform cancer into a chronic disease and save lives.
About the author: Lionel G. Bouchet, Ph.D., is the senior vice president of commercial development for North America at Mevion Medical Systems.
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