A new high-tech machine used in the treatment of cancer has been officially opened at Cardiff’s Velindre Cancer Centre on Monday by the Health Minister, Edwina Hart.
The Welsh Assembly Government has approved £8.87million for Phase 1 of the Site Improvement Project for Velindre Cancer Centre. The project includes a new linear accelerator (linac), two linac bunkers and one replacement linac.
The new linear accelerator brings the total number of linacs at the cancer centre to seven, enabling about an extra 200 radiotherapy treatment exposures per week.
Linacs generate high intensity radiation beams to destroy cancer cells, making use of sophisticated imaging technology to target the cancer more precisely and reduce the risk to healthy organs.
The new linac at Velindre is capable of delivering Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy and Image Guided Radiotherapy. It will increase capacity, help to reduce waiting times and provide an improved service to patients.
Mrs Hart said:
“Cancer continues to be one of Wales’ biggest killer diseases. With one in three people diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives, investment in caring for people with cancer and measures to reduce the incidence of cancer has, and will continue to be, a priority for the Welsh Assembly Government. We are developing our strategic plan for tackling cancer for the period 2011 to 2015 to achieve our aims of having incidence and survival rates among the best in Europe by 2015.
“As well as investing significantly in prevention, we must continue to invest in equipment to help in the diagnosis and treatment. Swift access to diagnosis and treatment greatly reduces the anxiety experienced by patients and their family and friends.
“This new equipment at Velindre Cancer Centre will help to reduce waiting times for cancer patients which will ultimately improve the outcome for them.
“Thanks to investment in earlier diagnosis and treatment through more screening and new equipment, and prevention through education and awareness, more people are now surviving longer with cancer.”
The Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Tony Jewell said:
“It is expected that the incidence of cancer will continue to increase.
“Wales’ population is getting older, and this is something to be celebrated, but as we get older, the likelihood of developing cancer increases. It is therefore important that we invest in this new equipment so that we can meet anticipated future demand.
“In addition, we are focusing heavily on prevention, through educating people about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and the need to stop smoking, one of the biggest causes of cancer.
“Our draft Tobacco Control Action plan, which is currently out for consultation, builds on a programme of measures – including the smoking ban – to discourage young people from starting to smoke. It also aims to support smokers who want to give up and promote smoke-free environments, particularly to protect children and reduce inequalities in health.”
The Chair of Velindre NHS Trust, Dr. Rosemary Kennedy said:
“I am delighted that the Welsh Assembly Government has provided funding for the expansion of radiotherapy services at the Velindre Cancer Centre. The new Linac will allow more patients to be treated each week.
“Radiotherapy treatment continues to develop, and this state of the art Linac will enable us to use new techniques to improve outcomes for patients.”
