Expanding advanced cancer services

The Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute is at the forefront of modern cancer care because of committed, highly trained physician teams, holistic support services, and ongoing investment in the most advanced cancer therapies.

In 2019, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health started construction of a state-of-the-art proton therapy facility at the Cancer Institute that will become the first site in Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia, to offer this innovative radiation therapy to cancer patients.

Proton therapy uses a positively charged beam that enters the body at a low dose of radiation. When it hits the cancer it’s targeting, the dosage increases. The beam then stops, preventing the radiation from moving through healthy tissues and exiting the other side of the body. This enables healthy tissue to be spared while maximizing the chances of attacking cancer cells.

Expected to open in late 2021, the proton therapy facility will continue to enhance the Cancer Institute’s range of treatment services, minimizing the number of people needing to travel outside Lancaster County for advanced oncology care.

The Cancer Institute also continues to expand the availability of genetic research and clinical trials for patients, providing the opportunity to benefit from new and effective treatments that could potentially improve their condition, while taking part in vital research that can benefit many future patients. These and other advancements in diagnosing and treating cancer allow the Cancer Institute to enhance its offerings in Personalized Medicine, an approach that emphasizes customizing treatment to each patient’s unique genetic and molecular profile.

Patients in Lancaster County benefit from the collaborative efforts of closely integrated cancer experts at the Cancer Institute and at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center—one of the nation’s foremost leaders in cancer research, patient care and education.