Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, both based in Boston, are offering cancer patients the option to use virtual reality to visualize their treatments, according to STAT.
The organizations are primarily using VR to help physicians and researchers better pinpoint radiation treatments. However, as part of an early trial, they are also using the technology to provide patients with insights into their treatment plans.
STAT spoke with Bill Hobbs, a 69-year-old cancer patient from Dartmouth, Mass., about his experience participating in the VR trial. Ray Mak, MD, and Christopher Williams, PhD, invited Mr. Hobbs to participate after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, in May.
By strapping on a VR headset, Mr. Hobbs was able to see how radiation would be applied to the lining of his lungs under his treatment plan.
"[It] show[s] you what they're doing, and they can tell you why they're doing it," Mr. Hobbs said of his experience using the VR technology, which he called a "walk through your own body." "And that's a good feeling to have."