UK's first cancer-fighting proton beam therapy machine arrives

The UK has taken delivery of its first cancer-fighting proton beam therapy machine.

Previously only available overseas, the 55-ton cyclotron accelerator machine is being installed as the final phase of the Rutherford Cancer Centre being built in Newport, South Wales.

The £17m machine will take a year to install and is expected to treat 500 patients a year.

The revolutionary technology uses a high-energy beam of protons, instead of X-rays, to deliver radiotherapy for patients - reducing the risk of damaging surrounding healthy organs.

The centre is one of several being built by Proton Partners International across the UK, which will offer proton beam therapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

British patients currently have to travel overseas to receive the treatment.

Engineers work on the installation in Newport

In 2014, Naghemeh and Brett King took their five-year-old son Ashya abroad to receive proton treatment for a brain tumour because it was not available here - and British doctors said it would not cure him.

The family fled from Southampton General Hospital with Ashya to get him treated in Prague, sparking a massive manhunt.

Three years on, his dad says his brain tumour has gone and he is back at school.

Professor Gordon McVie, chairman of Proton Partners International, said: "This is a milestone for cancer treatment in the UK.

"We are committed to transforming cancer care and that is why we are installing the most advanced proton therapy technology available.

"Around 10% of cancer patients will benefit from proton beam therapy by having significantly less long-term side effects."

Treatment at The Rutherford Cancer Centres will be available to medically insured private patients, self-paying patients and patients referred by the NHS.

(SKYNEWS)