For many Powell residents, accessing specialized cancer treatment has often meant traveling outside the community — sometimes multiple times a week — adding stress, time and distance to an already difficult journey.

That reality is beginning to change.

The Big Horn Basin Cancer Center in Cody has recently introduced new technology that is reshaping how cancer care is delivered in the region. The addition of the TrueBeam radiotherapy system marks a significant step forward in providing advanced treatment options closer to home.

Radiation therapy is a critical part of cancer care for many patients, but it often comes with challenges — long treatment sessions, multiple appointments, and the need for precision in targeting tumors while protecting healthy tissue. The TrueBeam system is designed to address those challenges by delivering highly targeted radiation with increased speed and accuracy.

What makes this advancement especially meaningful for local patients is the time it can save. In many cases, treatments can be completed in as little as 10 minutes. That efficiency not only improves patient comfort but also allows individuals to spend less time in treatment and more time focusing on recovery and daily life.

The technology also uses advanced imaging and motion-tracking capabilities, which allow care teams to monitor tumor movement in real time. This is particularly important for cancers affected by natural body movement, such as lung tumors that shift with breathing. By adapting to those movements during treatment, providers can deliver radiation more precisely while reducing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

For a region like the Big Horn Basin — where distance and access can impact healthcare decisions — this type of investment reflects a broader effort to keep care local.

“This technology allows us to deliver highly targeted treatment with greater confidence, while improving the overall experience for our patients,” said Randy LaFaye, radiation clinical supervisor at Cody Regional Health.

Beyond the technology itself, the addition of the new system supports a larger goal: making cancer care more accessible, more efficient and less disruptive for patients and their families.

“Our goal is to ensure patients in the Big Horn Basin have access to advanced cancer care without having to leave their community,” said Jennifer Ball, director of the Big Horn Basin Cancer Center.

Community members recently had the opportunity to see the new system firsthand during an open house at the Cancer Center, where visitors toured the facility, met the oncology team, and learned more about how treatment is evolving locally.

As healthcare continues to advance, access remains just as important as innovation. For residents of Powell, Cody and the surrounding communities, having cutting-edge cancer treatment available nearby means fewer miles traveled — and more time spent where it matters most.

To learn more about cancer care options at Cody Regional Health, visit: codyregionalhealth.org/our-services/cancer-treatment-center/ or watch a short video highlighting this new technology: youtu.be/637vqWR1a-M