What is Proton Therapy?

Proton therapy is a cancer treatment technique that uses a beam of protons accelerated to near the speed of light and directed at the tumour. Unlike X-rays (photons), protons have a unique physical property called the "Bragg peak": they release their maximum energy precisely at the tumour depth, then stop — without penetrating further or damaging tissue beyond the target. The key advantage is significantly reduced radiation dose to healthy tissue, which is especially important for tumours near critical structures (brain, spine, eyes) or in paediatric patients. Proton centres are typically located at major hospitals due to the very high cost of the equipment. Educational content only — does not replace medical advice.