Cut down on cancer treatment

THE North Coast Cancer Institute at Lismore has made significant changes to cut treatment times by more than half for its radiotherapy patients.

The stereotactic radiotherapy treatment delivers a higher dose of radiation to the target area for prostate cancer patients.

It can be done over five sessions instead of smaller doses across 20 sessions.

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said the shorter course of treatment offers multiple benefits for patients and the health system.

“Here in Lismore prostate cancer treatment accounts for around 20 per cent of all cancer treatments provided at our North Coast Cancer Institute,” Ms Saffin said.

“Prostate cancer support and treatment is an area I take an active interest in, given my pivotal role in securing support for the PET/CT scanner and the two LINACs, as well as the prostate cancer support nurse.”

Bill de Groot was the first patient to receive the stereotactic radiation therapy for prostate cancer in Lismore, and said the shorter course was a better choice for him.

“For me it’s close to home, so having it at Lismore is a great benefit,” he said.

“There’s also a psychological benefit to this, too, in that I don’t have to go in for four weeks solid, which can be depressing.

“Once you are in the situation of being diagnosed with cancer your whole life changes around, and then you kind of focus on that and forget about everything else.

“This is quick, and from there you can move on.”

Patients who are eligible for the stereotactic treatment will be able to discuss their options with their doctor.

The shorter treatment course is also expected to be available from the new Tweed Valley Hospital Integrated Cancer Care service.