New technology in Tasmania helps accuracy of breast cancer treatment

New technology is helping to treat breast cancer with more accuracy and without permanent reminders for the patient. See the details >>

Alison Ferguson is pleased she won’t have a “tattoo for life” as a daily reminder of her radiation treatment for breast cancer.

Ms Ferguson is one of the first patients using new world-class technology at Hobart’s Icon Cancer Centre that eliminates the need for small but permanent tattoos on the chest to guide treatment to the right location.

The IDENTIFY technology uses advanced optical surface tracking and real time motion management to continuously monitor a patient’s position during treatment, while simultaneously tracking the patient’s natural breathing movements.

Ms Ferguson, 68, was diagnosed with stage 1 (HER2-negative) breast cancer in January this year after a regular BreastScreen check-up.

“I had two small cancers in my left breast and had a lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy,” she said.

Dr Raef Awad radiation oncologist at Icon Cancer Centre in Hobart with Alison Ferguson who had treatment for breast cancer with the new technology that eliminates the need for tattoo marks for breast cancer radiation therapy. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“It was great not having to have permanent tattoos for my treatment.

“It would have been a tattoo for life and for many not wanted because it is a constant and permanent reminder of what they’ve been through.”

“My surgeon recommended Icon for my radiation therapy and I’m glad he did.

“The staff took great care – they even played my favourite songs while I was having my treatment.”

Icon radiation oncologist, Dr Raef Awad said the centre was focused on providing Tasmanian cancer patients with access to the latest treatments.

He said patients accepted that they had to have a tattoo but it had been a constant reminder of their treatment.

“It was covered up and no-one would notice it but it was a reminder of their treatment and not invisible to them,” Dr Awad said.

“Receiving radiation treatment for breast cancer is a significant event for patients/

New breast cancer treatment eliminates the need for tattoos

“The omission of tattoos is one less thing to worry about during their treatment.

“Our breast cancer patients can now be assured that their treatment delivery will be highly accurate, while avoiding tattoos as a permanent reminder of their cancer.”

Ms Ferguson, who lives in Hobart, said her sister Muriel, a woman of deep faith, died from bowel cancer aged 47.

“She did not have colon check-ups, so I can only be thankful for breast screen checks and Icon’s treatment, which may well have saved my life,” she said.

With her treatment now finished, Ms Ferguson plans to travel with her husband David.

Originally published as New technology in Tasmania helps accuracy of breast cancer treatment