Official opening of state-of-art equipment for cancer treatment at SCGH

14/5/97

Western Australia's Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has a new state-of-the art piece of equipment used in the treatment of cancer.

Premier Richard Court today officially opened the new varian linear accelerator, which has been purchased for the hospital by the State Government at a cost of $1.8 million.

Mr Court said the new accelerator would greatly assist in the treatment of a number of forms of cancer and would boost what was already a world-class service provided by the Oncology Department of Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

The new linear accelerator was used in radiation therapy and provided greatly enhanced treatment, particularly for those with cancer of the breast, prostate, head and neck.

As well as treating deep-seated tumours, the machine also had an electron beam which was used to treat tumours within a few centimetres of the surface of the skin.

Mr Court said the accelerator demonstrated the Coalition Government's commitment to improved hospital facilities in Western Australia.

"Apart from providing up to date treatment, the new equipment will also reduce the waiting time for treatment," he said.

"It has been estimated that about one in four Western Australians will develop some form of cancer - other than skin cancer - during their lifetime.

"There have been enormous advances in the detection and treatment of many forms of cancer. Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital receives on average 1,300 new cancer cases each year, in addition to re-treating existing patients.

"The new linear accelerator will make a significant contribution to the treatment of those people afflicted with cancer and will be a welcome addition to the services provided by Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital."

Media contact: Casey Cahill (08) 9222 9475