The £8m positron emission tomography (PET) scanner has been installed at the Royal Free Hospital.
The state-of-the-art technology is 11 times more sensitive than standard machines, exposing patients to half as much radiation and scanning at least twice as quickly.
The new scanner, called the long axial field of view (LAFOV) and also known as the Total Body PET scanner, allows patients to start life-saving treatment sooner.
Michael O’Sullivan, 84, from High Barnet was one of the first to use the scanner as part of his prostate cancer treatment.
He said: “I was really pleased to be one of the first patients and that my appointment went very well.
“I felt very relaxed and the staff were all lovely and put me at ease.”
PET scans create three-dimensional pictures of body parts.
This allows doctors to learn more about the functioning of the tumors that they have examined.
A greater understanding of tumor function helps doctors provide more effective treatments to cancer patients.
The LAFOV PET scanner cuts scan time from 20 to five minutes, giving you the ability to see more patients sooner after referral.
Thomas Wagner, a nuclear medicine consultant, said: “This is an extremely exciting development for us.
“The lower dose of radiation is a big benefit for patients, especially for younger patients who need to come in for repeated scans.
“And because we can complete the scans much more quickly, we can see more patients every day.”
The LAFOV PET scanner is funded by the Royal Free Charity.
Peter Landstrom, chief executive of the Royal Free London, said: “I am delighted that the first patients are now receiving their scans.
“A huge thank you must go to Royal Free Charity and its generous donors for making this possible.”
The Royal Free London is one of the busiest cancer services in the NHS, receiving almost 50,000 referrals each year.
The Total Body PET scanner expands research possibilities and new effective treatments.
The scanner’s high sensitivity and lower radiation offer opportunities for research procedures involving healthy volunteers.
