Icon Cancer Centre opens Concord Hospital’s first radiation oncology service

Icon Writers / 19 Apr, 2022

Concord local Anita shares how the opening of Icon Cancer Centre Concord has made a difference during her cancer journey

The opening of a new, world-class Icon Cancer Centre in Concord Hospital is now saving patients from travelling for public radiation oncology, bringing the latest in cancer care closer to home for the local community. For Concord local Anita Arcamone, the impact of having quality cancer care available locally is something she knows all too well.

“My cancer journey first began in 1992, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer just eight weeks after the loss of my son Andrew. When I was told that I had cancer, honestly, it felt like nothing compared to my devastating grief. The worst thing that could happen to me had happened, but I got through it and I could get through this,” Anita said.

After undergoing a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy at Westmead Hospital, Anita spent ten years cancer-free until she was told her breast cancer had returned. Thankfully, her treatment was again successful.

“In 2019, I was having a routine mammogram when my doctor encouraged me to get further scans. They told me that I not only had breast cancer, but also lung cancer which had developed separately and a lesion on my spine.

“I went through chemotherapy and radiation therapy to my spine, followed by immunotherapy, and then another five rounds of chemotherapy earlier this year. I was so pleased when my scans showed my lungs were clear of cancer. Although history shows that cancer does come back, I was hopeful that it wouldn’t – but, unfortunately, it did,” Anita said.

When Anita was told her cancer had spread to another two lesions in her spine, she was thankful that she could receive radiation therapy treatment close to home as Icon Concord’s first patient.

“When you hear your cancer has spread to the bone, it can be easy to worry. It was so reassuring knowing I was getting the latest treatment at Icon Concord, supported by such a wonderful team. I live just seven minutes away from Concord Hospital,” Anita said.

As part of Concord Hospital’s integrated cancer centre, Icon Cancer Centre Concord is proud to offer the region’s first public radiation oncology service locally and is set to save local patients hours of travel time during the course of their radiation therapy treatment.

Radiation Oncologist at Icon Cancer Centre Concord Dr Miriam Boxer welcomes the new centre and says the service will offer a greater level of support for the growing Concord community.

“We know that cancer rates are increasing across Australia, and Concord is no different. We are proud to be here to support our local community during what can be an incredibly stressful time by providing the latest in radiation therapy treatment, closer to home. With the opening of Icon Cancer Centre Concord within Concord Hospital, world-class radiation oncology is now available in our own hometown,” Dr Boxer said.

About Icon Cancer Centre Concord

Icon Cancer Centre Concord, located on-site at Concord Hospital, is proud to offer precise and complex radiation therapy treatment for a wide range of cancer types including Deep Inspiration Breath Hold, stereotactic radiation therapy and surface-guided radiation therapy. The centre is home to state-of-the-art radiation therapy technology including a Varian Truebeam linear accelerator and Varian IDENTIFY™ Surface Guidance System. On-site parking is available, with access to allied health, support services and pharmacy co-located within Concord Hospital.

If you would like to receive treatment at Icon Cancer Centre Concord, we are here to help. Send us a message and we will be in touch with more information on what to do next.

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