By Dr. Shannon MacDonald More than five years in the making, Southwest Florida Proton successfully completed its first proton treatment in late 2025.…
2026 National Proton Conference to Spotlight Practice-Changing Data, Expanding Access to Cancer Care
Leaders from New and Established Centers to Share Clinical Advances and Proven Operational Strategies to Broaden Patient Access JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 3, 2026 -- The National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT), the nation's…
International experts in radiation oncology and medical physics convened for “Particle Therapy for Primary & Recurrent Skin Cancers,” a webinar hosted by the University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute in partnership with CYCLHAD and…
As the holiday season comes to a close, one family reflects on a year of healing, gratitude, and renewed hope. SOMERSET, NJ—January 13, 2026— As families across New Jersey transition…
As we celebrate World Cancer Day, one notable development to improve access to advanced radiation treatment has been the continued growth of proton therapy facilities across multiple regions of the world. More than 60 new particle therapy…
Access to proton treatment often depends on many variables beyond clinical eligibility. Patient navigators play a critical role in helping patients overcome insurance barriers, coordinate complex care, and feel supported during one of the most…
By Fred Hutch Staff. Proton therapy is a top treatment choice due to its precise targeting of the tumor in a small area Six years ago, 66-year-old Ron White, a…
Throughout 2025, the National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT) continued to amplify its advocacy efforts and health policy initiatives. These efforts aligned with NAPT’s mission to increase access to proton…
Results from the photon cohort of NRG-BN001, a signal seeking Phase II randomized trial, has delivered hope to patients battling glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive brain tumors, suggesting that…
Ten percent higher 5-year overall survival rates in patients receiving precise proton therapy vs. traditional radiation therapy Patients had significantly fewer side effects and improved quality of life, including less…
Sarah Lai’s journey with lung cancer began on an otherwise ordinary night in September 2022. She was talking to her husband before going to bed, when she felt the need…
Published October 17, 2025 By Lynn Nonnemaker, Ph.D., Josh Jorgensen, Maddie News See full article HERE The past several years have been active in the policy space for Medicare Advantage…
By Ben Frank, Unity HealthTech Prior authorization has always been a pain point in oncology, but for proton therapy, the stakes feel even higher. Decisions made by payers affect…
For many cancer patients, side effects from radiation can be debilitating. But a new way of delivering radiation treatment has proven effective at eliminating a hard-to-treat cancer with the only…
Last fall, experts from across the country gathered at the NAPT Research Forum in Washington, D.C. to discuss one of the most pressing issues in cancer care today: how to…
The National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT) was proud to host the The Power of Protons: Accelerating Access and Innovation in Cancer Care on October 23, 2025, at MOCA Jacksonville, in…
Shannon M MacDonald, FASTRO, FACRO Southwest Florida Proton Center Introduction Radiotherapy has long played a significant curative role in the management of breast cancer. Proton therapy, an advanced form…
2025 NAPT Annual Member Survey Highlights Increases in Patients and Conditions Treated; Continued Barriers to Access, Including Prior Authorization Delays, and Insurance Denials JACKSONVILLE, FL, September 29, 2025 -…
When someone you know is diagnosed with cancer—or anything serious—it’s natural to want to help. You might donate, volunteer, or just feel a strong urge to do something. That’s especially…
The National Association for Proton Therapy is pleased to share this curated guide to proton therapy-related presentations at the 2025 ASTRO Annual Meeting in San Francisco. This resource highlights key…
On the Hill In March, NAPT met with key Congressional offices and committee staff to advocate for policies that protect and expand access to proton therapy. Discussions focused on improving…
The 63rd Annual Conference of the Particle Therapy Cooperative Group (PTCOG 63) marked a major milestone as the first PTCOG event ever held in Latin America. Hosted in vibrant Buenos…
Honoring Excellence in Proton Therapy: Celebrating the 2025 NAPT Award Recipients Each year, the National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT) proudly recognizes outstanding individuals whose work transforms the landscape of…
This Brain Tumor Awareness Month, we share the inspiring journey of Benny, a three-year-old whose life was transformed by early detection, expert care, and the power of proton therapy. A…
Philadelphia, PA — Against a backdrop of growing clinical evidence and a sharpened focus on advancing patient access, leaders in radiation oncology gathered at the 2025 National Proton Conference (NPC)…
When Sean Cousins learned that he had an extremely rare cancer, he knew Texas Center for Proton Therapy was his best shot at beating the odds. “I wanted to finish…
April is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, a time to spotlight stories of resilience, healing, and hope. One such story belongs to Mark Kahrs, who was diagnosed with head…
Steven J. Frank, MD, FACR, FABS, FASTRO Executive Director Particle Therapy Institute MD Anderson Cancer Center April marks Head and Neck…
GUEST CONTRIBUTORS: Chrissy Rubin, LCSW, Lead Social Worker Mark Eala, LMSW, Social Worker New York Proton Center As oncology professionals, we know that a…
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR: Corrie T. M. Anderson, M.D., FAAP Professor, Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine Professor of Pediatrics (adj) University of Washington | Seattle Children’s …
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR: Lotte van der Werf MSc Global Health PhD Candidate Implementation of Value Based Healthcare & Jr. Project Coordinator, Maastro Clinic, the Netherlands [minti_divider style="3" margin="40px…
As we follow the actions of the new presidential administration and await more announcements about healthcare leadership and cancer research initiatives, it’s a good time to reflect on the past…
NAPT Advocacy Report: 2024 Throughout 2024, the National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT) continued to amplify its advocacy efforts and health policy initiatives. These efforts aligned with NAPT’s mission to…
Article by: Texas Center for Proton Therapy A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology reports that incidences of cardiac dysfunction amongst breast cancer survivors increased eightfold within the…
The National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT) hosted its first-ever Research Forum in Washington, DC, gathering top researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders from across the nation to explore cutting-edge developments…
Author: Jennifer Maggiore Executive Director, NAPT In the realm of cancer treatment, timely access to the most appropriate care is crucial to ensuring improved patient outcomes. However, for many cancer…
Congressional Updates Medicare Payment Rules Released The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released 2025 proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS)…
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR: Linnae Campbell MSHA, MS, CMD R.T.(R)(T) Certified Medical Dosimetrist Northwestern Medicine You might be thinking, “Happy WHAT?!” Medical Dosimetrists are at the…
“We are extremely grateful for Texas Center for Proton Therapy. From start to finish, it was a true delight being there with the nurses and radiation…
Hampton University Proton Cancer Institute (Hampton Proton) spearheaded a significant effort to expand equitable access to proton therapy in the state of Virginia. Recognizing the potential of proton therapy to…
GUEST CONTRIBUTORS: Jillian Plochocki Executive Director Proton Collaborative Group (PCG) Charles B. Simone, II, MD, FASTRO, FACRO Chief Medical Officer New York Proton Center [minti_divider…
Deborah Cooley's cancer diagnosis came shortly after being involved in a near-fatal car accident. “A…
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR: Robert H. Press, MD Radiation Oncologist Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute Conducting high-quality clinical trials is crucial for establishing the value proposition…
Doctors at Northwestern Medicine used proton therapy to treat the rare case of melanoma When Debbie Hensley went in for her annual eye exam, her optometrist knew there was a…
Nick Parker has always been healthy and in good shape. “I don’t get sick, other than Parkinson’s and cancer,” he jokes. The South Knoxville native underwent treatment and surgery for…
NAPT NEWS For Immediate Release: June 5, 2024 – Patients requiring radiation therapy for head and neck cancer benefit from proton therapy based on preliminary data from a multi-institution Phase…
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open highlights significant disparities in travel-time access to proton beam therapy (PBT) for cancer treatment across the contiguous United States. Proton beam therapy,…
Retired Marine Robert Hanley of New Jersey proudly served his country, embodying the virtues of honor and courage. In August 2023, Hanley faced another formidable challenge when diagnosed with lung…
This month, the National Association for Proton Therapy brought a celebratory close to its 2024 Excellence Awards with special ceremonies in California and Florida. These events not only recognized the…
NAPT NEWS For Immediate Release: March 19, 2024. – The National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT), the nation’s leading organization dedicated to increasing patient access to advanced cancer treatments, today…
Congressional Updates Doc Fix Signed Into Law A “mini-bus” federal funding package signed into law March 9 included the “Doctor Fix,” mitigating Medicare physician payment cuts by 1.68% effective March…
NAPT NEWS For Immediate Release: January 23, 2024 – The National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT), the nation’s leading organization dedicated to increasing patient access to one of the most…
NAPT NEWS For Immediate Release: January 18, 2024 – The National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT), the nation’s leading organization dedicated to increasing patient access to one of the most…
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR: Mark Pankuch, PhD, DABR, FAAPM Director of Medical Physics Northwestern Medicine - Central DuPage Hospital On January 1, 2024, Illinois saw the…
Building on the groundwork laid in previous years, NAPT continued its aggressive federal advocacy this year. Consistent with NAPT’s mission, its efforts centered on increasing awareness of and support for…
Virginia Attorney General Jason S. Miyares in December issued an opinion confirming that insurers in the Commonwealth are prohibited from denying coverage for proton therapy for cancer treatment when the…
Cancer is a disease where the passage of time can make a difference in treatment outcomes. Recent research underscores the reality that for cancer patients, each week of delay in…
Esophageal cancer incidence in the United States has been on the rise over the past few decades. The American Cancer Society's statistics reveal that in 2022, there were an estimated…
The recent ProPublica article, "Big Insurance Met Its Match When It Turned Down a Top Trial Lawyer’s Request for Cancer Treatment," sheds light on the issue of insurance denials for…
The National Association for Proton Therapy celebrates Coach Ron's remarkable journey, from proton therapy patient to being awarded the prestigious CSC Founders Award for his commitment to making a difference…
Explore the most recent data on proton therapy. While the 2023 NAPT Member Survey is exclusive to NAPT members, to ensure that critical industry insights reach a wider audience an…
In early 2023, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the National Cancer Plan, a guide the nation’s…
The Executive Director of the National Association for Proton Therapy, Jennifer Maggiore recently paid a visit to the University of Wisconsin's innovative East Park Cancer Center, which is set to…
In an exciting expansion to the Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT) proudly unveils the 2024 NAPT Excellence Awards Program. Through a new annual event, NAPT…
Dr. Michael Butkus is Co-medical Director and Head of Proton Physics at the Dwoskin Proton Center at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami/UHealth Medical System; and…
Proton therapy's precision, reduced side effects, and enhanced outcomes make it an ideal option for the treatment of many types of cancer. By providing equitable access to advanced treatments like…
Warrenville, Ill. (WICS) — In the past 3 years, Illinois state leaders and medical facilities have teamed up to bring cancer patients coverage for Proton Beam therapy. This is all thanks…
The National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT) is intensifying its advocacy efforts to address a growing issue that threatens timely access to life-saving proton therapy for cancer patients. Prior authorizations…
Input from NAPT critical in the formulation of revised treatment and coverage guidelines, ongoing stakeholder dialogue required for more frequent updates NAPT applauds revised guidelines for proton therapy approved…
In 2018, four-year-old Thomasina “Tommie” DeSantis was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of pediatric cancer.The news shattered her…
When Charlie was eight weeks old, I noticed his legs had become limp. We took him to the ER and…
I ran my first triathlon in the summer of 2015. Even with the 100-degree Texas heat, I fell in love…
The cost-value argument for expanding proton therapy coverage It may sound counterintuitive, but evidence suggests proton therapy for some indications costs less in total than conventional radiotherapy. Although the treatment is…
WHAT’S (ALMOST) AS BAD AS BRAIN CANCER? When a Citizen editor’s sister gets glioblastoma, her doctors recommend a cutting-edge treatment. Then she rams into the great American healthcare wall: Insurance.…
Aetna Life Insurance Co. will pay up to $3.4 million to settle a proposed class action claiming it wrongly refused to cover a cancer treatment called proton beam therapy. The settlement,…
The benefits of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are well known by those who enroll in them, support them or otherwise associate with them. Among the top five benefits,…
National Association for Proton Therapy Elects New Board Members January 31, 2023 – The National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT), the nation’s leading organization dedicated to increasing patient access to…
The land’s been scraped bare, the brick and mortar will come soon. By the start of 2025, Southwest Florida will have its first proton therapy center to fight cancer. Dr. Ari Dosoretz…
Penn Medicine and Virtua Health are nearing the debut of their new proton therapy center at Virtua's Voorhees Hospital Campus in Camden County. The $45 million facility will be the…
Ron Rivera thinks about that day every time it comes up on the calendar. Being told he had cancer is not something he can easily forget. The first thing that…
In the next two years, UW Health, the health system associated with the University of Wisconsin, will be the first medical institution worldwide to clinically treat cancer patients sitting upright…
August 30, 2022: The National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT) commends the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) indefinite delay of the Radiation Oncology Alternative Payment Model (RO Model):…
For many families, cancer is the fight of their lives, but the News4 I-Team found some are having to endure another fight they never expected: getting their treatment covered by…
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR PROTON THERAPY HONORS JAY LOEFFLER, MD AS THE 2022 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENT Contact: JJ Vitale, NAPT Director of Communication ● jj@proton-therapy.org ● 202.919.4536 March 7, 2022…
One-third of the 1,001 physicians surveyed (PDF) by the AMA in December reported that prior authorization has led to a serious adverse event for a patient in their care. More specifically, the…
Here are 7 hot radiation therapy technology trends discussed in sessions and on the expo floor at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) 2021 annual meeting. 1. Flash Therapy…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JJ Vitale jj@proton-therapy.org 904.635.5035 December 8, 2022: The National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT) applauds the House of Representatives for approving the Protecting Medicare and American Farmers…
From New Hampshire to Alabama, more than 20 of the 38 proton therapy centers in the U.S. are scattered across the East coast. Out West, these cutting-edge cancer treatment facilities are…
When Grace Eline was diagnosed with a brain tumor, teams at Rutgers Cancer Institute and…
Effect of Proposed Episode-Based Payment Models on Advanced Radiotherapy Procedures Sanford L Meeks 1 , Amish P Shah 1 , Gaurav Sood 1 , Tomas Dvorak 1 , Omar A Zeidan 1 , Dylan T…
Across his seven decades as a professional musician, Gil Chimes had done it all: Sung in bands, performed on Broadway, written commercial…
On September 18, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) released the much anticipated Radiation Oncology Alternative Payment Model (“RO Model”) Final Rule. The Final Rule can be…
Proton therapy is a very precise treatment that prevents short term and long side effects by reducing radiation exposure to healthy…
When Katie was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 35 years of age, she soon transferred her care to Dr. Michelle Gentile at Northwestern Medicine. Her tumor was overlapping her…
Jennifer was living in Northern Virginia with her husband and three young daughters and working as an attorney when she was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the left sinus.…
Just two months before her wedding, Arianne noticed a little nerve symptom in her calf every time she sat down or crossed her legs.…
Kent Police Officer Takes Charge of his Toughest Case Yet Winding through the rainy streets of the City of…
At the age of 50 I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. It was critical to me to protect my health as…
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From a talk at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting: Anita Mahajan, MD, from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston Dr. Mahajan highlighted the fact…
Men 55 and younger treated with proton therapy for prostate cancer at the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute report high satisfaction for quality of life indicators such as sexual…
By Elizabeth Brennan, Fox News For years, 60-year-old Frank Mackinson had been experiencing strange symptoms that would come and go. Two years ago, as he was driving down a local…
A new study from researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center found that the use of feeding tubes in oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) cancer patients treated with…
By Elizabeth Brennan, Fox News For years, 60-year-old Frank Mackinson had been experiencing strange symptoms that would come and go. Two years ago, as he was driving down a local…
Tami Freeman Editor, medicalphysicsweb.org Earlier this month, experts from some of the leading US cancer centres gathered to discuss the role of proton therapy in breast cancer - an emerging application…
Proton therapy is a type of radiation used to treat cancer. And it gets at one of the thorniest questions about the health-care overhaul: How do you balance innovation and…
By Leonard Arzt Recent research has demonstrated that treating breast cancer patients with conventional radiation may cause significant damage to their hearts. Fortunately, proton therapy offers a safe and effective…
CAMERON--Dr. John M., the Founder, Chairman, and President of ProCure Treatment Centers, the country's leading provider of proton-based cancer treatment, died on Thursday in Bloomington, Indiana. He was 73. Dr.…
A number of important clinical papers showing promising results were presented at the Particle Therapy Cooperative Group – North America (PTCOG‐NA) meeting this week by leading physicians from across the…
Physicians from across the country gathered in Chicago last week to discuss the most recent advances in proton therapy at the Particle Therapy Cooperative Group – North America (PTCOG-NA) meeting.…
A proton therapy treatment gantry, such as this one at Roberts Proton Therapy Center, delivers precise proton beams to difficult-to-reach tumors. Photo credit: Penn Medicine's Roberts Proton Therapy Center and…
After losing his mother to breast cancer and then fighting testicular cancer himself, Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton started a foundation to help those touched by the disease. LAURA PANJWANI…
By DENISE ROLAND for The Wall Street Journal Proton-beam therapy machines, such as this one in the Czech Republic, are used in treating cancer patients. PHOTO: PETR DAVID JOSEK/ASSOCIATED PRESS…
By Mike McKnight for WOWT News ROCHESTER, Minn. (WOWT) - When a rare form of cancer struck a young Nebraska woman, she learned the treatment could save her life but…
More than 200,000 men each year in the United States are diagnosed with prostate cancer. Until recently, the fear of treatment options rivaled the anxiety of the disease itself. In…
The Center for Biomedical Research is partnering with the world’s newest proton therapy center as part of a clinical meta-registry for clinical outcomes and long-term follow-up of…
Proton beam therapy does not cause the serious side effects associated with conventional radiation for children with brain and spinal cancers. HOUSTON, TX -- The number of children suffering from…
"Precision vs. Profits" Proton Therapy is featured in Discover magazine's October 2014 issue The cyclotron is the world's largest, most complicated and most expensive medical device. It's saving children's lives,…
Steve Scott, former Olympian Track Star, is Upbeat About His Prostate Cancer Treatment in California
By John Maffei Learning he had prostate cancer was a shock for Steve Scott, who already had survived testicular cancer and a pulmonary embolism. Scott didn't pull any punches. "I…
by Deborah M. Marko BRIDGETON – As a designer, Jacob Riley-Wasserman looks for unique ways to make new connections. As a cancer patient, the 23-year-old Bridgeton resident is focused on…
MedicalXpress A new study by radiation oncologists at Mayo Clinic comparing the world's literature on outcomes of proton beam therapy in the treatment of a variety of advanced head and…
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Despite some success in treating patients with Hodgkin lymphoma, many patients suffer from late effects of radiation therapy and chemotherapy treatment, including the possible onset of…
By Steven J. Frank, M.D., MD Anderson Cancerwise Blog As the MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center marks its eighth year, we have a lot to celebrate. We've made phenomenal progress,…
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Five years after having proton therapy for early- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer, 99 percent of men are living cancer-free and with excellent quality of life, according to…
LOMA LINDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Initial results from a research study being conducted at Loma Linda University Medical Center’s (LLUMC) James M. Slater, M.D., Proton Treatment and Research Center reveal that proton…
Men with prostate cancer who underwent intensity-modulated radiation therapy reported similar quality-of-life summary scores as those who underwent proton therapy, according to results of a prospective study. However, problems with…
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Proton therapy can be used to safely treat pediatric sarcomas and brain tumors adjacent to the brainstem, according to a new study from researchers at…
by Nancy Ryerson, Staff Writer The global market for proton therapy systems is expected to triple by 2018, and reach $2.5 billion by 2030, according to a new market…
By Brendon Nafziger This first appeared in the July 2013 issue of DOTmed Business News The first hospital-based proton therapy center in the United States, at Loma Linda University in…
ASCO Post: Proton Radiation Is Not Associated with Increased Risk of Secondary Cancers When Compared with Photon Radiation By Jo Cavallo Key Points: A retrospective cohort study of 558 patients treated…
By News Sentinal Staff Former figure skater and Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton has joined the Provision Center for Proton Therapy board of directors. A cancer and brain tumor survivor…
Source Newsroom: Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Proton Therapy, A ProCure Center Nationally recognized radiation oncologists join SCCA Proton Therapy Newswise — SEATTLE, WA – Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Proton Therapy,…
Hampton, Va. – The Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute (HUPTI) has announced a partnership with Strategic Alliance Holdings, LLC (SAH) to treat cancer patients from the Middle East and North…
By Lillian Guevara-Castro, Gainesville Sun, staff writer Two years ago, Don Denton was having regular blood work done for high blood pressure when the lab measured his PSA (prostate-specific antigen),…
By Cynthia E. Keen, AuntMinnie.com staff writer May 22, 2012 -- At Massachusetts General Hospital, the Francis H. Burr Proton Therapy Center allocates 40% of its available treatment time to…
If your doctor has recommended that proton therapy be part of your cancer treatment program, you probably have many questions and concerns about it. Proton therapy, a noninvasive, painless treatment,…
In patients with tumors adjacent to the optic disc (optic nerve head), proton irradiation is associated with preservation of some vision (although sacrificing sharpness) and prevention of eye removal, with…
By Randy Dotinga, HealthDay Reporter New research finds that men who undergo prostate removal often suffer more from incontinence and impotence than they expected, even when counseled beforehand about possible…
By Robert Sanchez Daily Herald Staff The first proton therapy center in Illinois is expected to start treating cancer patients months ahead of schedule. "The original plan was to open…