Dubbo Hospital Introduces Groundbreaking Cancer Treatment Technology

A cutting-edge cancer treatment that can significantly reduce radiation therapy sessions has been introduced at a public hospital in western New South Wales. The Western Cancer Clinic in Dubbo is now offering RapidArc Dynamic radiation technology, marking a major breakthrough in cancer care for rural patients.

Advanced Technology for Rural Patients

RapidArc Dynamic (RAD) is a more precise and dynamic form of radiation therapy that has already treated over 110 patients at the Western Cancer Centre. University of NSW Professor of Radiation Oncology Geoff Delaney said RAD has the potential to halve the number of radiation treatments needed and reduce the time patients spend in hospital.

"There's lots of stories where country patients don't get the latest technology, and this is the reverse of that," he said.

RAD uses a device called a collimator, which shapes the radiation beam to match the exact shape of the cancerous tumour. It rotates around the patient as the beams are adjusted in real time, allowing for more precise dosing.

Improved Treatment Outcomes

Acting chief radiation therapist for the Western NSW Local Health District, Catherine Osborne, said the precise dosage protects surrounding organs in cases like breast cancer.

"We're treating all breast tissue, but we don't want to give a radiation dose to the heart and lung, which cause long-term toxicities," she said.

Dr. Osborne noted that medical centres across Australia are quickly adopting RAD, but Dubbo is the first public hospital to do so.

"We have capacity to make our own strategic decision of what technologies we invest in and how we see benefits to our patients," she said. "So this has really been driven from within."

Dr. Osborne emphasized that even a few minutes less on the treatment bed can make a significant difference for patients.

"The difference between three or four minutes and seven or eight minutes is a long time when you're on a hard bed every day, day after day and you're having to do things like fill your bladder or hold your breath," she said.

Patient Benefits

For patients like Kevin Barrington from Coonabarabran, who travelled hundreds of kilometres for cancer treatments in Dubbo, having to spend less time in hospital is a relief. After receiving a brain tumour diagnosis last year, Mr. Barrington was one of the first patients to access RAD.

"Whereas it was a sort of half an hour thing a little while ago, I was in and out in about 15 minutes," he said. "As a layman, it's just dazzling technology."

The state-of-the-art technology is also attracting university students, with final-year radiation therapy student Thyda Rim travelling from Melbourne for her placements.

"You would think that advanced technology like this you can only find in metro areas, but it's pretty cool that you can access it here in more remote communities," she said.

Professor Delaney said RAD is the future of radiation therapy for more providers nationwide.

"Radiotherapy is evolving over time, so you would expect even better improvements in the future."