If you’re facing treatment for gastrointestinal cancer, you may have concerns about side effects, long-term health, and how therapy might affect your day-to-day life. While all forms of radiotherapy have the potential for short and long-term side effects, proton beam therapy can reduce the risk.

The main advantages include:

• Lower risk of short-term side effects
  Because protons can be directed so precisely, there is less likelihood of damaging nearby tissues and organs during treatment.
• Reduced chance of long-term complications
  Protecting healthy organs means a lower risk of secondary issues that can affect quality of life months or years later, which is especially important in children and young adults.
• Potential for higher doses (if appropriate)
  Because of the precise nature of the treatment, in some situations, clinicians may decide that a higher dose of radiation is appropriate, improving the overall effectiveness of the treatment.

Read more about the benefits of proton beam therapy.