proton therapy

BayCare, which broke ground on its unit this week, has an accelerated timeline for construction due to advanced technology that allows for a smaller footprint than traditional proton therapy machines.

Dr. Arie Dosoretz, one of the founders of Advocate Radiation Oncology, announced a partnership this week between Southwest Florida Proton and Lee Healthcare Holdings.

The cancer treatment attacks tumors more accurately than traditional radiation. Tampa Bay residents haven't been able to access it in the region yet.

The nearest other proton therapy centers for Southwest Florida residents are two in Miami, one in Delray Beach and one in Orlando. Two centers are planned for in the Tampa area.

Local officials in Washington D.C., are on the verge of approving two high-tech radiation facilities for treating cancer at a total cost of $153 million. The treatment these hospitals would offer costs twice as much as standard radiation, but hasn't been shown to work any better for most cancers.