PROTON THERAPY TREATMENT

Early day motion 1448, tabled 7 May 2009 by Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 24 members.

That this House notes with grave concern the increasing number of British cancer patients who are having to travel abroad to receive the life saving treatment proton therapy; further notes that unlike radiotherapy, most of the radiation used during proton therapy is concentrated on the tumour meaning that the amount of radiation affecting normal tissues can be reduced to half or even one tenth at the same time as delivering the same or higher dose to the cancer; accepts that the treatment has been found to be more effective at reducing collateral radiation which is particularly beneficial for patients whose cancers are close to the spinal cord, brain, heart, eye or ear; is appalled at the fact that treatment is not readily available within the UK; and calls on the Government to invest in a specialist treatment centre to allow cancer patients to receive proton therapy in the UK.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Liberal Democrat 9, Conservative 1, DUP 1, Independent 1, Scottish National Party 1.