Peterborough Regional Health Centre and Lakeridge Health have announced that the radiation treatment facility at PRHC resumed operation on Monday, January 11th, following the replacement of the medical linear accelerator (LINAC) technology in late 2020. (A LINAC is the device most commonly used for external beam radiation treatments for patients with cancer, and delivers high-energy x-rays or electrons to the region of the patient's tumour in a way that destroys the cancer cells while sparing the surrounding normal tissue.)
“We are pleased to welcome patients back to PRHC for their radiation treatments this week,” says Brenda Weir, Vice President, Regional Programs at PRHC. “The new LINAC has been made possible through our partnership with Durham Regional Cancer Centre at Lakeridge Health. Regular renewal of our equipment and technology helps us to maintain high-quality care for patients, and to keep PRHC’s radiation treatment facility consistent with a provincial standard of care.”
“The installation of the radiation facility at PRHC in 2013 has brought cancer treatment closer to home for more than 2,000 patients and families in Peterborough and the surrounding communities in the years since it was first opened,” says Lesley Heighway, President of the PRHC Foundation.
“The installation of this facility was made possible at the time through the generous support of PRHC Foundation donors, and we are excited about this further provincial investment into state-of-the-art radiation technology that will ensure patients in our community continue to receive the best cancer care possible, closer to home,” Heighway adds.
Construction to replace the LINAC began in September 2020. Throughout the fall and early winter, patients who would normally receive their treatment at PRHC have received their treatment at the Durham Regional Cancer Centre at Lakeridge Health.