A new $10 million linear accelerator will provide Island patients with more advanced cancer treatment.
Minister of Health and Wellness Robert Henderson said planning is now underway and construction will begin next spring to prepare for arrival of the new equipment at the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre.
“This major capital project includes the purchase of a new accelerator that will provide more precise and less invasive radiation therapy, and the required expansion of the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre,” said the minister. “Good access to cancer treatment is very important to Islanders and this new equipment will ensure that we continue to have good access to high quality cancer care.”
A linear accelerator delivers high-energy radiation to treat a variety of cancer types, as well as palliative treatment to provide symptom relief.
The PEI Cancer Treatment Centre currently operates two linear accelerators. The new unit will replace the original one which was installed in 2003. Combined, the two existing linear accelerators deliver up to 9,200 radiation treatments per year. Last year, there were 565 Island oncology patients who required radiation therapy as part of their cancer treatment plan.
“The investment to replace the original linear accelerator will enable us to continue to offer modern state-of-the-art radiation therapy at home in PEI for our cancer patients,” said Provincial Radiation Oncology Head, Dr. Larry Pan. “The new equipment will also allow us to safely offer even higher precision radiation treatments directly to the tumor, while minimizing side effects to nearby normal tissues. This will unquestionably improve the quality of care provided to our patients.”
The newer technology will allow radiation oncologists to treat even more patients through the Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy program, which uses radiation therapy as a non-invasive alternative to surgery to treat tumor sites such as lung, spine, liver prostate and the brain.
Site preparation and construction is expected to begin next spring and be complete in early 2018. The new linear accelerator will be operational by the fall of 2018 following a commissioning process.
Since 1989, the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre has provided specialized care and well-being for Islanders diagnosed with cancer. This includes medical and radiation therapy, clinical trials, patient navigation and post-cancer care support programs.