Cancer Free. Since day one, these two words have driven UF Health Proton Therapy Institute to deliver the most advanced radiation treatment available, bringing the hope of a cancer-free future to breast cancer patients and their families.
What is Proton Therapy?
Proton therapy can be a valuable form of radiation treatment for many patients with breast cancer. Proton therapy is a type of radiation that can be stopped at a prescribed depth in tissue, whereas conventional radiation continues beyond the tumor. This unique feature of proton therapy can be used to decrease the radiation dose to the nearby tissues. In breast cancer, this means on average no radiation to the heart and on average 50% less radiation to the lung as compared with conventional radiation.1
did you know?
Breast cancer patients may benefit from proton therapy radiation, which can decrease radiation to the heart and lungs.
Benefits of Proton Therapy
When the amount of radiation to the heart and lungs is decreased, so is the risk of developing side effects such as heart disease, reduced lung function, or secondary cancer. The proton therapy advantage may be more likely in cases where cancer has developed in the left breast, since it is situated so close to the heart. Whether cancer develops in the right breast or left breast, proton therapy may provide an optimal treatment and decrease the amount of radiation the heart and lungs receive. Additionally, proton therapy may provide better dose coverage to the lymph node regions as compared with conventional radiation.
University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute currently treats:
- Stage I, Stage II and Stage III breast cancer
- Locally advanced breast cancer
- Node positive breast cancer
Eligible patients include those who are:
- ER, PR positive or negative
- Her2Neu positive or negative
- Triple positive
- Triple negative
- With or without implants
UF Health Proton Therapy Cancer Experts
As a major non-profit academic medical center, the University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute has treated more than 11,000 patients and led the way for innovative cancer care in the Southeast U.S. since 2006. As an academic health center, our published research is setting the standards for proton therapy cancer care worldwide, with dozens of clinical trials and more than 350 published research articles in peer-reviewed journals.
When you become a patient at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, you are assured of receiving the highest quality cancer care as measured by state and national standards. We are committed to delivering the best possible patient outcomes. Our 125+ employees are dedicated to delivering proton cancer treatment in a way that takes the entire patient into account, so you can keep living life to the fullest.
UF Health Breast Center — Jacksonville
We provide multidisciplinary care as a part of the comprehensive breast cancer treatment team. Breast cancer screening, diagnostic care, education and a full range of treatments including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, are coordinated and customized for women and men with breast cancer.
The breast center is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, administered by the American College of Surgeons.
1 Bradley JA, Dagan R, Ho MW, Rutenberg M, Morris CG, Li Z, Mendenhall NP. Initial report of a prospective dosimetric and clinical feasibility trial demonstrates the potential of protons to increase the therapeutic ratio in breast cancer compared with photons. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2016 May; Vol. 95(1):411-21. https://www.redjournal.org/article/S0360-3016(15)03348-9/fulltext
Are you a candidate for Proton Therapy?
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Virtual consultations are subject to state and insurance approval.
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