Biopsy machine to improve cancer detection

COMMUNITY EFFORT: Male Bag Foundation chief executive officer Robert Glover and Limestone Coast Local Health Network acting chief executive officer Elaine Pretorius congratulate the community on its effort in purchasing the region's own transperineal biopsy machine which will be available to patients in the next four to six weeks. Picture: MOLLY TAYLOR

By Molly Taylor

A STATE of the art medical biopsy machine to improve prostate cancer diagnosis practices in the Limestone Coast has been commissioned.

The transportable transperineal biopsy machine will soon be operational at Mount Gambier Hospital, with almost $200,000 raised in the region to purchase the equipment.

Transperineal biopsies are performed to gather tissue specimens of the prostate gland and determine whether cancer cells are present.

The equipment aims to improve detection rates and has reduced the rate of infection and pain associated with alternative diagnosis forms.

While the machine will be based in Mount Gambier, a transportable case has been purchased by Mount Gambier Hospital to allow it be taken around the region as required.

With Limestone Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group chair Richard Harry leading the project, almost $200,000 was raised by various councils, organisations and groups across the region to help make the purchase.

Major contributors include the Limestone Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group, Male Bag Foundation, Bendigo Bank, Grant District Council, Mount Gambier City Council, Wattle Range Council, Naracoorte Lucindale Council, Naracoorte Health Advisory Council and Mount Gambier business Computer Bits.

Limestone Coast Local Health Network acting chief executive officer Elaine Pretorius congratulated the community on its efforts.

“Early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer has good outcomes, we also know it has less side effects if we can catch it much earlier,” Dr Pretorius said.

“This biopsy machine will increase access and lessen the invasive diagnosis procedures which men have to undertake when we suspect prostate cancer.

“So having one here is enormously exciting and we are very grateful for all the people who have made contribution.”

Mount Gambier urologist and Flinders Medical Centre urology head Michael Chong said since he started work in Mount Gambier over a decade ago, prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment facilities had improved enormously in the region.

“Up until now, patients have had to travel to Adelaide during diagnosis and treatment…this will benefit our patients immensely,” he said.

“We will also have a prostate cancer specialist nurse based in the Limestone Coast so patients are going to be able to undergo all stages from their diagnosis virtually up until final treatment here in Mount Gambier.

“The patients here are getting the same service that they would get at one of Adelaide’s big metropolitan hospitals and I think that’s absolutely fantastic.”

Having provided support to eight regional areas, Male Bag Foundation chief executive Robert Glover said he had never seen such a united and supportive community.

“This is the most organised community we have helped in rural Australia,” he said.

“Together, we can not believe how this community kicks through the same goal, it is absolutely fantastic.

“You guys are unique and if I can say, if that’s how you run your health here, if I was unwell I would like to be part of this community.”

Mr Harry emotionally addressed the crowd at a ceremony last week and thanked everybody for their support.

“This is a major step forward in men’s health in the Limestone Coast, and with more men dying from prostate cancer than women from breast cancer, it is hoped that this statistic can be reduced,” he said.

The machine is expected to be in operation over the next four to six weeks.