Woman in a mask pioneers new face of cancer treatment

A 24-year-old London woman is one of the first in the country to undergo a pioneering form of rapid radiotherapy.

After waking one morning with double vision, Jet Payne, of Muswell Hill, was diagnosed last April with a benign but aggressive tumour pressing on the optic nerve. Following surgery at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, part of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Ms Payne was given RapidArc radiotherapy to remove traces of tumour which can cause cranial nerve and visual problems.

The treatment took two minutes and is said to be eight times faster and more accurate than conventional methods. With RapidArc, the patient wears a mask to keep still.

Consultant clinical oncologist Susan Short said: "It delivers a lower overall dose to tissue outside the target area compared with other methods." Ms Payne said: "The treatment is very quick and that's a good thing."

The Fight for Life charity helped fund the equipment.