Radiation therapy in rural Western Australia

73-year-old Toodyay local Robert Thompson was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019 after heading to the GP for his annual influenza vaccination. In a lucky turn of events, Robert saw a new doctor who ran a routine blood test and found his PSA levels were high at 7.5.

“After a month of monitoring and another PSA test, I was referred to a urologist who did some biopsies straight away. Only one reading out of 20 was classified as an active cancer that had the potential to spread. I was a little bit shocked in the beginning, but my urologist was confident that my cancer hadn’t spread yet and that a few doses of radiation would fix me up,” Robert said.

As Robert’s cancer was very small and localised in his prostate, he was able to receive stereotactic radiation therapy treatment at Icon Cancer Centre Midland. Stereotactic radiation therapy delivers high doses of radiation precisely to the prostate ensuring safe and effective treatment directly to the tumour, while minimising radiation dose to surrounding healthy organs and tissue.

The experience was also made easier through the support of his care team at Icon Midland. He says the small moments along the way, such as choosing his own music to listen to while receiving radiation, helped him get through treatment.

“It was quite handy to have music play while you’re being treated and watching the machine go round. I’m an old rocker, so the staff would play Chuck Berry or Roy Orbison.”

“I can’t talk more highly about the team; they definitely understand what you’re going through and keep you calm. Nothing is too hard for them. They gave me the confidence that everything was going to be okay.”

“One of the best parts was ringing the bell on the last day to mark the end of my treatment. It was a great relief to know I was walking out of there for good!”