UAB Breaks Ground on Proton Therapy Center

 ========= Old Image Removed =========1Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2018/01/img_20180130_111653-scaled.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:6:{s:5:"width";i:2560;s:6:"height";i:1440;s:4:"file";s:38:"2018/01/img_20180130_111653-scaled.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:14:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"img_20180130_111653-336x189.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:189;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"img_20180130_111653-771x434.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:434;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"img_20180130_111653-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"img_20180130_111653-768x432.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:432;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"1536x1536";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"img_20180130_111653-1536x864.jpg";s:5:"width";i:1536;s:6:"height";i:864;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"2048x2048";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:33:"img_20180130_111653-2048x1152.jpg";s:5:"width";i:2048;s:6:"height";i:1152;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"img_20180130_111653-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"img_20180130_111653-600x338.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"img_20180130_111653-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"img_20180130_111653-553x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:553;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"img_20180130_111653-470x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"img_20180130_111653-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"ab-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"img_20180130_111653-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"img_20180130_111653-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}s:14:"original_image";s:23:"img_20180130_111653.jpg";}
        )

    [_wp_attachment_image_alt] => Array
        (
            [0] => Ground broken on new UAB Facility
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Jared Chesnut
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => WBHM
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

)
1655854328 
1517385640
Ground broken on new UAB Facility

Jared Chesnut, WBHM

Construction began Tuesday on a new high-tech cancer treatment facility on the campus of UAB.

Proton International at UAB, the product of a partnership between the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Proton International, will be a three-story facility at the intersection of 20th Street South and 4th Avenue South focusing on proton therapy.

Proton therapy is a more targeted approach for treating cancer, using proton beams instead of more commonly used X-rays to target cancerous tumors while reducing damage to nearby healthy cells and tissue. According to Proton International CEO Chris Chandler, “Experts conservatively estimate that about 250,000 cancer patients in the United States alone could benefit from proton therapy.” UAB will also be researching the technology to discover its full range of benefits and set guidelines for treatment. “Our trek for investigating proton therapy has been over 10 years,” said James Bonner, chairman of UAB’s Department of Radiation Oncology, “and the technology has improved substantially during that time period, so right now is a great time to get in.”

UAB currently has the only Comprehensive Cancer Center in the state of Alabama recognized by the National Cancer Institute, and both sides hope the facility will not only help the institution maintain their status as leaders in the field, but help Alabama cancer patients and their families throughout the treatment process. Jefferson County Commission President Jimmy Stephens gave his support for the project: “This validates Birmingham and UAB as one of the leading cancer hospitals in America.”

Construction is expected to be completed and the facility ready to treat patients in 2020. The Birmingham facility joins a system of 25 locations nationwide using the high-tech cancer treatment.

 

Note: WBHM is a member-supported service of UAB. WBHM’s business and news departments operate separately.

 

 

At least three people dead from a tornado in North Dakota

At least three residents were killed in the Enderlin area by a tornado on Friday night after storms hit North Dakota and Minnesota.

One daughter’s search for a father detained by ICE

Francisco Urizar, 64, was detained by ICE while on his work route delivering tortillas. His daughter Nancy is trying to find out what happened to him.

Star bassist Carol Kaye rejects Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honor

One of the most in-demand session players of the 1960s, Kaye was listed alongside the late record producer Thom Bell and the late pianist Nicky Hopkins as inductees in the Musical Excellence category.

Pilot who died in N.C. plane crash tried to avoid a turtle on airport runway

The pilot of a small plane that crashed near an airport tried to avoid hitting a turtle on the runway, according to a National Transportation Safety Board report. The pilot and a passenger were killed.

Day after day, Palestinians in Gaza risk harrowing journey in desperate search for food

Israel has begun allowing food into Gaza. Most of the supplies go to GHF, which operates food distribution points. A trickle of aid goes to the U.N. and humanitarian groups. Both systems are mired in chaos.

Photos: Why it took courage for these women to pose for the camera

Wearing traditional cosmetic face masks from their homeland of Madagascar, they agreed to be photographed to take a stand.

More Front Page Coverage