Countries throughout Europe, however, already use proton beam for a range of
cancers in adults and children.
According to Cancer Research UK, the treatment differs from X-ray methods by
aiming proton beams at cancers.
It works by sending charges into cancer cells, with doses of radiation aimed
directly at the tumour. At the same time, the treatment spares healthy
tissue, particularly tissues and organs behind the tumour.
The treatment is popular because it has a lower risk of side effects, though
others are concerned that the long-term impact of the nascent procedure is
not yet known.
Patients can access proton beam therapy abroad through NHS funding.
They must be assessed by a panel who may decide patients are not suitable if
there will be no clinical benefit from the treatment, NHS England said.
Between 2008 and 2013, 412 NHS patients were approved for proton beam therapy
abroad including 293 children, it added.
Patients and their families could be away from home for eight to 10 weeks
during treatment. The average cost of treatment is £100,000 per patient, NHS
England said.
It is currently only available in the UK to treat eye conditions although its
use is to be expanded.
NHS England said in 2018 proton beam therapy will be offered to up to 1,500
cancer patients at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester and
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in London.
In his video posting, Mr King said: “Proton beam is so much better for
children with brain cancer.
“It zones in on the area, whereby normal radiation passes right through his
head and comes out the other side and destroys everything in his head.
“We pleaded with them (in Southampton) for proton beam treatment. They
looked at me straight in the face and said with his cancer – which is called
medulloblastoma – it would have no benefit whatsoever.
“I went straight back to my room and looked it up and the American sites
and French sites and Switzerland sites where they have proton beam said the
opposite, it would be very beneficial for him.â€