WHEN Ulladulla man Gordon White was diagnosed with cancer he never dreamed he would be the first patient to be treated with a revolutionary new radiation therapy at the Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre.
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Mr White, 59, was diagnosed with cancer, including a growth in his brain, on October 1.
"I was having a few troubles with my arm and tests revealed I had cancer. A scan showed a secondary cancer in my brain," he said.
After being assessed by doctors Mr White was seen as an ideal candidate for specialised radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).
The non-invasive radiation therapy, delivered by the linear accelerator, delivers highly focused radiation to the site of a brain tumour,
Staff at the Nowra centre have been working towards introducing the treatment, instead of patients having to go to Wollongong or potentially Sydney to receive the specialised procedure.
Stereotactic radiosurgery is a non-invasive radiation therapy used to treat brain metastases and other types of brain tumours. It delivers highly focused radiation to the site of a brain tumour.
- Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre radiation oncologist, Dr Glaucia Fylyk
Gordon underwent three treatments on October 20-21-22 and has now been given the green light to start immunotherapy to treat his other cancers.
"Being able to have the treatment in Nowra has been fantastic," he said.
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"It meant a 40-minute drive up the highway, rather than hours to Wollongong or Sydney.
"As I can't drive at the moment, it made life so much easier and was definitely more cost-friendly.
"We fully expected to have to go to Sydney for this type of treatment, so having it available locally is fantastic.
"The effectiveness of the treatment has been really positive."
He says he's been fortunate to experience "virtually no side effects" apart from some of his hair falling out.
"Mind you that was starting to go anyway," he joked.
Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre radiation oncologist, Dr Glaucia Fylyk said stereotactic radiosurgery is a non-invasive radiation therapy used to treat brain metastases and other types of brain tumours.
"SRS delivers highly focused radiation to the site of a brain tumour," she said.
Precisely-targeted doses of radiation means we can provide treatment using fewer, higher doses of radiation than traditional therapy and also helps minimise the effects on the healthy tissues surrounding the tumour.
- Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre radiation oncologist, Dr Glaucia Fylyk
"The precisely-targeted dose of radiation means we can provide treatment using fewer, higher doses of radiation than traditional therapy and also helps minimise the effects on the healthy tissues surrounding the tumour.
"As an initial treatment of small metastases in the brain, SRS allows patients to delay or avoid whole brain radiation therapy and its associated side effects."
SRS is a non-invasive, outpatient procedure that does not require general anaesthesia, meaning a short recovery time.
Using a linear accelerator (LINAC machine), the treatment works by delivering a high dose of radiation to the affected area of the brain, causing the tumour to shrink.
"Technological advances mean we are able to use the Linac to now undertake these procedures," she said.
"It is an alternative to very invasive brain surgery.
"The Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre teams have undertaken the training techniques and work collaboratively with the neurosurgeons.
As an initial treatment of small metastases in the brain, SRS allows patients to delay or avoid whole brain radiation therapy and its associated side effects. It is an alternative to very invasive brain surgery.
- Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre radiation oncologist, Dr Glaucia Fylyk
"Previously, most patients would have had to travel to Sydney or Canberra to receive this specialised treatment."
The Illawarra Shoalhaven Cancer and Haematology Network prioritised the introduction of SRS to its service to reduce the need for patients to travel for this important treatment.
"It's great to be able to provide this type of radiotherapy to our patients within their own community, in their known surroundings and close to their family, friends and wider support networks," Dr Fylyk said.
An emotional Mr White praised the staff at the Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre.
"I can't talk highly enough of all of them," he said "the nursing staff, the doctors, everyone, they were just excellent.
"Absolutely fantastic. I received amazing care."
He will now start his medical oncology treatment, with immunotherapy, and even better news that will be undertaken at the cancer care centre at Milton Hospital.
"That means just a 10-minute drive," he said.
His wife Karen also praised the centre's staff.
"It's brilliant what they are doing up there," she said.
"To think even just two to three years ago people were still dying from these types of cancers and they are now well on the way for a cure."