NPL looks to safer cancer treatment
Safer cancer treatment could be on the horizon thanks to investment made into new equipment by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL).
The organization has announced efforts to improve the treatment it provides by ensuring doses of radiation are given to patients at the correct level.
Professor Mike Richards, national clinical director for cancer at the Department of Health, explains that medical facilities across the UK can now calibrate their instruments using the NPL's equipment.
Meanwhile, acting NPL managing director Dr Martyn Sene adds that the accuracy benefits are not the only advantages of the new system.
He asserts that the calibration process may also now be carried out more quickly than was previously possible.
As such, patients across the UK might expect to see a number of basic health benefits when undergoing radiotherapy in the future.
The European Science Foundation recently reported having made a "major advance" in its research into radiotherapy for cancer patients.
According to the organization, combining charged particles with the therapy allows it to be used on tumours which previously needed invasive surgery.
Cancer patients might welcome the news as it could indicate that future treatments for the condition will be subject to fewer negative effects on their all-round basic health.
