An innovative new prostate cancer treatment is now available at the North Coast Cancer Institute in Lismore, offering significant reductions in treatment times for eligible patients.
The stereotactic radiotherapy treatment delivers a higher dose of radiation to the target area over five treatment sessions, compared to the previous standard course which delivered a smaller dose across 20 sessions.
Local and international clinical trials have shown the shorter course was as effective, while significantly reducing the time commitment for patients.
Bill de Groot was the first patient to have received the stereotactic radiation therapy for prostate cancer in Lismore, and said the shorter course was a better choice for him.
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 in the near future.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:
"This innovative new treatment will make a major difference to those living with prostate cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.
"Having the new treatment available in Lismore means patients who would have previously travelled to Brisbane or Sydney for the shorter course of treatment can now receive it locally.
Quotes attributable to Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin:
"This shorter course of prostate cancer 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.
"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."
Quotes attributable to Radiation Oncologist Dr Shreya Armstrong:
"With the new treatment, we deliver a higher dose per session over fewer sessions, so the total biological radiation dose is the same.
"It's also very beneficial for our service, as it reduces the number of prostate cancer patients who are coming for daily treatment over four weeks, thereby freeing up the machine for other patients and reducing waiting times."
Quotes attributable to patient Bill de Groot:
"For me it's close to home, so having it at Lismore is a great benefit.
"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."
