When cancer patients recieve radiation treatment for their cancers, they are actually getting x-rays to the area of the tumor. The problem with x-rays is that the tissues around the tumor get the radiation also and can be damaged even though they are healthy.
Proton beams, on the other hand can be pinpointed directly on the tumor, sparing the healthy tissue around it. Moreover researchers claim that by using proton vs. other radiation they are able to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back from 12.8% recurrance with other forms of radiation, to 6.4% recurrance for those treated with the proton beam.
Experts maintain there is no real solid proof that this form of radiation treatment is better than the traditional radiation. However there are a growing number of former cancer patients who swear by the proton beam radiation.
The other problem with the proton beam therapy is that there are so far only about 5 proton centers in the United States. The centers cost millions of dollars to build, must be as big as one or two football fields, and have walls that are at least 10 foot thick concrete.
Despite all of that, there are a number of new centers being built as we speak.