Traditional X-ray therapy and the newer proton therapy are both types of radiation. They destroy cancer cells by damaging their DNA. So what makes them different?
X-rays are kind of like a bullet. As they pass through a person, they cause the most damage right under the skin. They keep on passing through your tissues and eventually exit the body. That’s why they can often damage healthy cells along with the cancer cells.
Read MoreThe American Cancer Society says that proton therapy delivers “60% less radiation to healthy tissue around the tumor.” However, they say that “more research is needed on these potential benefits to know for sure.” Proton therapy is also more expensive and less available than standard radiation treatment. So the decision about which one to go for can depend on a number of factors including your type of cancer, treatment cost, insurance coverage and whether you have easy access to proton therapy centers.
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