New cancer imaging technology installed at Royal Cornwall Hospital
£400k upgrade funded by Sunrise Appeal transforms radiotherapy in Cornwall
Cancer patients in Cornwall are receiving faster and more precise treatment due to a major equipment upgrade at the Royal Cornwall Hospital’s Sunrise Centre.
The hospital has become the first in the South West to install HyperSight, a cutting-edge imaging system that improves the accuracy, speed, and comfort of radiotherapy.
The new technology, which cost £400,000, was fully funded by the Sunrise Appeal charity and went live in September on a newly installed Linear Accelerator (Linac) — a machine used to target and destroy cancer cells with high-energy X-rays.
HyperSight provides exceptionally detailed images of tumours and surrounding tissue in just 45 seconds, allowing clinicians to deliver radiotherapy with millimetre precision.
The speed of the new system means patients spend less time on the treatment bed. For some, such as breast cancer patients who must hold their breath during imaging, this significantly reduces discomfort and stress.
Dr Savvas Rizkalla, Head of Radiotherapy Physics at the Royal Cornwall Hospital said:
"It's quicker for both the patient and the radiographers to take the images, generally giving a much more comfortable, precise and efficient patient experience."
The system also enables radiographers to monitor subtle changes in a patient’s body throughout the course of treatment, making care more personalised and adaptive.
The Sunrise Appeal, which supports cancer services in Cornwall, funded the full cost of the project.
A second upgraded Linac, also equipped with HyperSight, is due to arrive at the hospital early next year, expanding access to the technology and improving care for even more patients. RCHT says the investment marks a major step forward for cancer services in Cornwall.