New cancer treatment option available at American Fork Hospital
Hospital officials, donors and a patient cut the ribbon during the ribbon cutting for the new high-dose rate brachytherapy room at American Fork Hospital, Friday, June 17, 2016. Brachytherapy is the treatment of cancer, especially prostate and ovarian cancer that uses the insertion of radioactive implants directly into the tissue. Sammy Jo Hester, Daily Herald
Attendees look at the computer equipment during the ribbon cutting for the new high-dose rate brachytherapy room at American Fork Hospital, Friday, June 17, 2016. Brachytherapy is the treatment of cancer, especially prostate and ovarian cancer that uses the insertion of radioactive implants directly into the tissue. Sammy Jo Hester, Daily Herald
Dr. Brandon Barney, a radiation oncologist, shows attendees some of their equipment during the ribbon cutting for the new high-dose rate brachytherapy room at American Fork Hospital, Friday, June 17, 2016. Brachytherapy is the treatment of cancer, especially prostate and ovarian cancer that uses the insertion of radioactive implants directly into the tissue. Sammy Jo Hester, Daily Herald
Attendees clap during the ribbon cutting for the new high-dose rate brachytherapy room at American Fork Hospital, Friday, June 17, 2016. Brachytherapy is the treatment of cancer, especially prostate and ovarian cancer that uses the insertion of radioactive implants directly into the tissue. Sammy Jo Hester, Daily Herald
Dan Hilgenberg, a former cancer patient, speaks during the ribbon cutting for the new high-dose rate brachytherapy room at American Fork Hospital, Friday, June 17, 2016. Brachytherapy is the treatment of cancer, especially prostate and ovarian cancer that uses the insertion of radioactive implants directly into the tissue. Sammy Jo Hester, Daily Herald
Attendees listen to the speakers during the ribbon cutting for the new high-dose rate brachytherapy room at American Fork Hospital, Friday, June 17, 2016. Brachytherapy is the treatment of cancer, especially prostate and ovarian cancer that uses the insertion of radioactive implants directly into the tissue. Sammy Jo Hester, Daily Herald
A new cancer-fighting treatment is available at American Fork Hospital.
The hospital presented the treatment at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new high-dose rate brachytherapy room Friday afternoon.
The room was possible because of a $338,000 donation from the Ray and Tye Noorda Foundation.
“This gift will impact literally hundreds of people over the next few years,” said Dr. Brandon Barney, a radiation oncologist.
The treatment lets doctors deliver high doses of radiotherapy to small areas on the body, which minimizes exposure to surrounding tissue. The treatment, which is used to treat prostate, breast and gynecological cancers, leads to shorter overall treatment time, a shorter recovery period and comes with fewer side effects.
Jason Wilson, the hospital’s administrator, said the new room was the culmination of a lot of work and effort.
“Having this here is going to be a good benefit for our community,” he said.
The hospital is the third place in the county where the treatment is available.
Dan Hilgenberg, of Highland, spoke at the ribbon cutting on how his prostate cancer was treated with the HDR brachytherapy treatment at Utah Valley Hospital.
“I plan on watching my grandchildren raise their children,” he said. “It does make a difference.”
