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DiscussionAnyone had surgery (TORS) with no radiation or chemo after?
Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: 6 days ago | Replies (16)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "Unfortunately I’m in Canada, so proton is not an option unlesss I pay to go to..."
You are correct about not having a Proton beam facility in Canada. As I read it, the Canada health Act does allow for patients to be treated across the boarder. However, the number is rather low (2016 only 45 patients). Only seven provinces allow PBT referral so you need to check with the health authority and perhaps make your case with them. In addition, if you have the financial means, Mayo Clinic Rochester along with a few others charge the same rate for Proton as for Photon, which is a very nice thing. The actual cost to operate either is roughly the same but the Proton unit takes up a lot of real-estate in the building (3 floors I've been told) and the initial cost is a bit on the rich side.
Canada is still considering getting a unit and it looks like either in Alberta or Montreal, but I wouldn't hold out for it.
It wasn't an option when I went through it and I'm still around over twenty years later. Life is what it is. Courage.