Improved cancer treatment

Groote Schuur Hospital has unveiled a new radiotherapy machine offering improved treatment for cancer patients. The head of radiation oncology at the hospital, Professor Jeannette Parkes, said the Halcyon radiotherapy machine would make treatment faster, more accurate and less risky. According to hospital spokesperson Alaric Jacobs, Groote Schuur’s oncology department sees about 3 000 new patients a year. About half of them need radiotherapy.The hospital also sees about 38 000 follow-up cancer patients annually. Professor Parkes said the new machine offered patients “additional comfort, no moving machinery during treatment and a faster treatment time”.The hospital expects the machine to treat 30 to 40 patients daily.