SeedTracker may sound like a device used on a farm but is actually an innovative technique that improves the accuracy of radiation therapy for south west region patients undergoing prostate cancer treatment.
Medical physics specialist Dr Sankar Arumugam says stereotactic radiation therapy uses pin point precision technology to deliver targeted radiotherapy beams, shaped to attack prostate cancer cells, while keeping the dose delivered to normal organs such as the bladder and bowel relatively low.
Dr Arumugam said his team were honoured to have been recognised for their role in developing and implementing the SeedTracker.
Seed Tracker took out the Bob Leece Transforming Health award at the annual NSW Health awards.
Radiation oncologist Dr Mark Sidhom, who was also involved in the project in Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, said the innovative treatment was not only effective, but also highly accurate.
“Using a new technique we developed called SeedTracker, we can now watch the prostate as it is being treated, so even if there is a tiny movement, we can pause the radiation therapy, adjust the patient and re-start the treatment,’’ Dr Sidhom said.
“This ensures the area we want to treat receives the right dose of radiation, resulting in more accurate and targeted radiotherapy and ultimately, better outcomes for our patients.’’
SWSLHD and the Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation were also recognised as NSW Health Award finalists in the Preventative Health category for their work in closing the gap in Aboriginal health outcomes through culturally appropriate services.
In addition, Fairfield Hospital’s Whitlam Joint Replacement Centre were finalists in the Collaborative Team category for their work – Equal Access for the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Community.
Liverpool Hospital also scooped the Improving Service Levels in Hospitals Award at the NSW Premier’s Awards for Public Service.
