All Icon patients living in the area will be offered the choice to have this appointment at Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital, saving them time and money in travel. Icon is also offering consultation clinics for skin and breast cancer patients, with prostate consultations coming in September.
New Icon Gosford partnership brings care closer to home for cancer patients
Cancer patients from the northern end of the New South Wales Central Coast can now access their radiation therapy pre-treatment planning at Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital.
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The service is a partnership between Icon Cancer Centre Gosford, Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital and I-MED Radiology. Icon has invested in upgrading the existing I-MED CT scanner to a state-of-the-art CT simulator with the latest deep-inspiration breath-holding equipment, positional laser beams and flat-bed carbon-fibre technology.
“The planning appointment is an important part of preparing for radiation therapy treatment, but traveling for any appointment can be a burden for patients. Patients in Wyong and surrounding areas can now choose to access this important part of their care, closer to home,” says Icon Cancer Centre Radiation Oncologist, Professor John Boyages, who has been instrumental in bringing the service to the region.
“Radiation therapy planning is the first step in radiation treatment. It is a practice run for treatment without any radiation involved. At this appointment, our care team review the patients’ personal medical history to determine the most appropriate way for treatment. This may take two to four hours and can sometimes involve multiple appointments.”
Wyee resident, Sue Logan is the first patient to access the new service at Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital as she prepares for radiation therapy treatment at Icon Cancer Centre Gosford. The 59-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer in March this year following a routine mammogram.
“It’s been a daunting few months since I was diagnosed but I’m trying to remain positive and take it in my stride,” says Sue.
“I decided to have treatment at Icon Gosford because it’s closer to home. It’s still a two-hour round trip. I’m grateful I was able to have my planning appointment at Tuggerah Lakes. Having access to this service is a big win for our community. It takes a little bit of pressure off people who are already going through a difficult time as they deal with the stress of their diagnosis and upcoming treatment.”
Sue is looking forward to finishing treatment and celebrating her 60th birthday in September 2023. Plans to celebrate the milestone on a holiday to Vanuatu earlier in the year were put on hold due to Sue’s cancer diagnosis.
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