THE Beacon Hospital in Sandyford is now home to Ireland’s most advanced radiotherapy machine, the Varian Edge.
Having offered radiotherapy since 2007, Beacon Hospital is a leading provider of this cancer treatment option, which uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours, without the need for incisions.
The new machine will upgrade and enhance this service, as it allows for higher doses of radiation to be targeted with even more accuracy at tumours. It has less impact on surrounding tissues and allows for even better results and fewer treatments for patients.
This is the first and only machine of its kind in Ireland. With just three in the UK and 130 worldwide, it means that this country now has access to the very latest technology to treat cancer.
By 2020, one in two people in Ireland will develop cancer during their lifetime.
The technology can treat tumours found in brain, spine and lung cancer patients, as well as tumours in other areas of the body that are difficult to reach surgically.
The Edge system offers fast, effective treatment without an incision or the need to recover in hospital. With some treatment sessions taking as little as 15 minutes, and with the absence of an incision, patients can quickly get back to their lives.
Edge also reduces the risk to surrounding healthy tissue with a real-time tracking system that enables Consultant Radiation Oncologists to detect slight tumour movement, keeping treatment focused on the target.
It also allows for breathing to be monitored during treatment, giving the patient a more comfortable experience.
Beacon Hospital has invested €3.2 million in the new machine. This comes as part of a broader two-year plan (2018-2019) that will see over €30m being invested in the Southside hospital to enhance services, equipment and facilities.