This month (July 2023) clinicians and prostate cancer patients alike are commemorating two decades since the introduction of low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy to Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane.
LDR-brachytherapy is a targeted, minimally invasive treatment for prostate cancer. This form of radiation therapy works by damaging cancer cells & preventing them from multiplying. Via insertion of permanent radioactive ‘seeds’ directly into the prostate, localised radiation is emitted gradually over a period of several months to kill cancer cells. This innovative treatment option plays a central role in the management of early-stage, to locally advanced (higher risk), prostate cancer.
The early adoption of LDR-brachytherapy was pioneered by a three-person clinical team at Greenslopes Private Hospital, who remarkably, continue to serve the hospital’s prostate cancer community today – Radiation Oncologist, A/Prof Kumar Gogna; Consultant Urologist, Dr Glen Wood; and Medical Physicist, Mr Adrian Gibbs, Brisbane.
“My colleagues and I are proud to have been Queensland’s first adopters of LDR-brachytherapy two decades ago – an evidence-based, minimally invasive treatment that we continue to offer eligible prostate cancer patients today,” said A/Prof Gogna.
“Nowadays, we remain equally as committed to providing the best possible care and support, including proven, world-class treatments, to our patients living with prostate cancer, and other urological conditions.”
According to Dr Wood, offering a full spectrum of care for Queensland patients living with prostate cancer has always been, & will remain, a priority for Greenslopes Private Hospital.
“Prostate cancer is an individual disease, so it is crucial that a chosen treatment plan is tailored to each individual patient.
“After training with international experts, it became clear Queenslanders were being denied the opportunity to access the full range of treatment options for prostate cancer,” said Dr Wood.
“Being an innovator at the time, Greenslopes took the initiative to support the introduction of LDR-brachytherapy to the local community.”
Patients are similarly celebrating this significant milestone this month, including Ken Hurling, OAM, 76, Brisbane, who, 15 years ago, underwent LDR-brachytherapy treatment for his prostate cancer under the care of Dr Wood.
Today, Ken is joining the 95 per cent of patients who remain disease-free, 15 years after LDR-brachytherapy treatment.
Ken was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008, aged 61. The disease profoundly affected his perspective on life.
“Fortunately, I elected to undergo treatment, and now 15 years later, I’m still here,” said Ken.
This year, Ken is reflecting on his many accomplishments post- diagnosis.
His passion for serving his local community earned Ken both a prestigious Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2015, & a nomination for Australian of the Year in 2008. Ken has also enjoyed watching his granddaughter grow up.
Medical Physicist, Mr Gibbs said offering another evidence-based treatment for prostate cancer was driven by the need to support patient choice.
“The three of us [Greenslopes Private Hospital clinical team] were united under a common goal 20 years ago. We have since, collaboratively, treated hundreds of prostate cancer patents.
“When you hear about patients living with prostate cancer whom you treated years ago, who’ve had no disease recurrent, it’s gratifying to know that you played a role in this,” Mr Gibbs said.
For more information on prostate cancer & treatment options, head to: https://bxta.com