Subscribe now

Technology

Plastic wedge makes it much easier to make protons for cancer therapy

A plastic, wedge-shaped device could medical particle accelerators 100 times more efficient at generating the protons that can be used for cancer treatment

By Karmela Padavic-Callaghan

3 July 2023

Protons can be used to kill cancer cells

Protons can be used to kill cancer cells

Shutterstock/Meletios Verras

A wedge-shaped device could make the particle accelerators used for proton therapies in medicine an even more effective tool for treating cancer.

Beams of protons can be used to kill tumour cells. In traditional radiation therapy, radiation moves through the body before and after hitting the tumour, but protons tend to stop after reaching it. This means that fewer parts of the body are exposed to the treatment, which reduces side effects.

However, the process of producing the right protons is long and …

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 28th October 2023.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account