Proton beam cancer treatment centre to open in Cardiff

Cardiff is set to be home to one of only three proton beam therapy centres in the UK.

Treatment centres are being opened in Cardiff, London and Northumberland by 2017 - with the Cardiff centre due to be operational next year.

Proton therapy is a highly-targeted form of radiotherapy used to treat hard-to-reach cancers - such as spinal tumours - with a lower risk of damaging the surrounding tissue and causing side effects.

The centres, run by Cardiff-based Proton Partners International Ltd, will also offer conventional radiotherapy, chemotherapy and supportive care, to both NHS and private patients.