Czech doctors to share best practices in proton therapy with Belarus’ specialists

Czech specialists will share best practices in treating cancer using proton therapy with Belarusian counterparts, BelTA learnt from Pro-Rector for International Relations of the Belarusian State Medical University Vasily Rudenok.

Rector of the Belarusian State Medical University Anatoly Sikorsky and Director of Czechia’s Proton Therapy Center Vaclav Lastovka signed an agreement on academic and scientific cooperation between the two institutions. Proton therapy is not used in Belarus yet, because the equipment for it is pretty costly.

“Director of the Proton Therapy Center is set to visit Belarus at the end of August. We will discuss specific areas of cooperation,” Vasily Rudenok said. In his words, the Czech experts will share advanced international practices and technologies in the field of proton treatment. Belarusian doctors will be offered internships on proton therapy and will be able to conduct joint research project with their Czech counterparts, defend theses and hold joint conferences and symposiums in the field of proton therapy. This cooperation will allow Belarusian healthcare professionals to improve cancer treatment in the regions.

The Proton Therapy Center in Prague specializes in cancer treatment. Clinical studies worldwide have shown that proton therapy is more efficient than conventional treatment methods. It allows patients to return to normal life right after a treatment course is completed. Proton therapy uses a beam of protons to irradiate cancer tissues. Thanks to the flexibility and accuracy of the beam, doctors can remove every tumor, including those located in close vicinity to vital organs. Proton therapy is a very gentle way of treatment and it minimizes the effect on a patient's quality of life.

Proton therapy can be used to treat brain cancer, tumors of skull base, head and neck, lungs, prostate gland, pancreas, and spine. Healthcare professionals believe that proton therapy is a very promising treatment method.