10/08/2025
It's time to THINK PINK!
It is very likely that you know someone who has had, or has, breast cancer. Ever since we publicly announced the Danbury Proton project in early 2020, we've been saying that proton therapy is a precise, promising and growing advanced treatment for breast cancer. The evidence is stronger now than it was then!
Proton therapy is a type of radiation treatment that removes the positively-charged protons out of the nuclei of hydrogen atoms through magnets, accelerates these protons into a focused beam that's precisely targeted to destroy the DNA of cancer cells. (Conceptually, it seems like proton therapy came out of a sci-fi movie or an episode of Star Trek!)
The benefits of Proton Therapy for breast cancer treatment include:
Precision Targeting--especially for tumors located near critical organs such as the heart and lungs.
Reduced Side Effects. By minimizing radiation "pollution" (exposure to healthy tissues), proton therapy can lead to fewer side effects compared with traditional x-ray radiation therapy. This is particularly important for left-sided breast cancer, where the heart is at risk.
Potential for Improved Outcomes. The body of research is growing, that proton therapy may decrease the risk of developing secondary cancers (either immediate or down-the-pike) and improve overall survival rates and quality of life.
Brief, Non-invasive Outpatient Treatments. Proton therapy is non-invasive and is typically administered in an outpatient setting with treatment sessions lasting about 30 minutes, usually five times a week for several weeks. The ideal is to have a proton therapy center within a reasonable daily commute so everyday living is as normal as possible. Many patients must or choose to travel longer distances and stay overnight during treatment.
Careful, Personalized Planning and Positioning. Before proton therapy treatment begins, a planning CT or MRI scan is performed to create a custom, personalized treatment plan. Markings are made on the skin to ensure accurate positioning during each session.
Cancer is a "plague" in our culture today. It doesn't care about age, ethnicity, income, politics or any other human descriptor. Breast cancer treatment is just one MORE reason why we are so eager to get Danbury Proton built and operational ASAP.