Billy Kelleher
Ceist:618. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the Chief Medical Officer is of the view that proton beam therapy is an effective treatment. [18187/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 11 April 2017
Ceisteanna (618)
Freagraí scríofa
Proton beam therapy is a form of radiotherapy which is only used for treating certain specific cancer types. It is a relatively new form of treatment with narrow indications for use and therefore the evidence base is limited. Decisions relating to appropriate treatment, including radiotherapy, for individual patients with cancer are a matter for clinicians (cancer specialists) in consultation with patients and their families. The very small number of Irish patients (22 in 2015), who are clinically assessed as benefitting from proton beam therapy, avail of the treatment overseas under the HSE’s Treatment Abroad Scheme. Further international research in larger populations is required before the clinical indications for the use of proton beam therapy could be extended.