The Western Cancer Centre at Dubbo Base Hospital has become the first public facility in Australia to implement the innovative RapidArc Dynamic (RAD) radiation therapy technology.
This advanced therapy has the potential to significantly reduce treatment durations, effectively cutting them in half.
According to Professor Geoff Delaney from the University of New South Wales, the use of RAD is expected to become increasingly widespread in the coming years.
This groundbreaking cancer treatment, which has the capacity to shorten radiation therapy sessions, is now accessible to patients at public hospitals, specifically those located in western New South Wales.
The Western Cancer Centre in Dubbo is leading the way as the first public hospital in the country to provide this enhanced and precise radiation therapy known as RAD.
To date, over 110 patients have benefited from RAD treatments at the centre.
Professor Delaney highlighted that RAD could potentially decrease both the number of necessary treatments and the overall time patients spend undergoing care.
He emphasized that the availability of this technology in Dubbo represents a significant advancement for patients in rural areas.
“There are many instances where patients from rural areas do not have access to the latest technologies; this situation is quite the opposite,” he remarked.
RAD employs a specialized device called a collimator, which customizes the radiation beam to conform to the precise shape of the tumor.
The device rotates around the patient, adjusting the beams in real time for enhanced accuracy.
Unlike its predecessor RapidArc, RAD has the capability to pause during treatment, allowing for more accurate dosing.
Catherine Osborne, the acting chief radiation therapist for the Western NSW Local Health District, explained that this precise dosage is crucial in safeguarding surrounding organs, particularly in cases such as breast cancer.
Dr. Osborne pointed out that medical facilities across Australia are rapidly adopting RAD technology, with Dubbo being the pioneer among public hospitals.
She added that even slight reductions in treatment duration can significantly enhance patient comfort.
This advancement offers considerable relief to patients who travel extensive distances for cancer treatment in Dubbo.
Kevin Barrington, a 78-year-old patient from Coonabarabran who was diagnosed with a brain tumor last year, was among the first to utilize RAD technology.
His treatment, which spanned seven weeks, was notably quicker than previous experiences. “Previously, treatment sessions would take about half an hour, but now I’m in and out in approximately 15 minutes,” he shared. “As someone without a medical background, I find this technology truly impressive.”
The cutting-edge technology also attracts university students, such as final-year radiation therapy student Thyda Rim, who has traveled from Melbourne for her placements.
Professor Delaney reiterated that RAD represents the future of radiation therapy, with expectations for further advancements across the nation.
