Prince George, B.C.- Work continues to calibrate and test the two linear accelerators installed at the new Northern Cancer Centre in Prince George.

 

Linear accelerators provide the radiation therapy used to treat a variety of cancers. Radiation therapy makes use of high-energy x-rays to kill tumour cells. Radiation therapy is useful as curative treatment for some types of cancer, and also to relieve symptoms if cancer spreads. Radiation may be used on its own, or in conjunction with chemotherapy or surgery.

 

 About 60 per cent of people diagnosed with cancer receive radiation therapy at some point in the course of their treatment.

When ready, the two machines will mean, that for the first time, residents of Northern B.C. will be able to receive radiation therapy in their home region.

 

Valued at more than $3million dollars each, the equipment must undergo stringent testing before they can be approved for use.

 

The units arrived in March and since that time, the centre’s medical physics team has worked to install and program the equipment.

 

Testing and calibration takes several months to ensure the equipment is performing   its function with accuracy.

 

The new Northern Cancer Centre is scheduled to open before the end of this year.