Six-year wait for cancer scanner

A DARWIN woman diagnosed with terminal cancer says successive politicians are playing a life and death game with their consistent failure to deliver on a much-needed PET scanner.

Territorians have waited six years – through both parties’ terms in office – for the muchneeded PET scanner

Around 250 Territory patients travel interstate to access a PET scanner which enables a full body scan using radioactive dyes to quickly diagnose and track the spread of cancers. The Territory is the only jurisdiction in the country without one.

Former CLP federal Member for Solomon Natasha Griggs first promised the machine during the 2010 election campaign, which she won but the Coalition lost. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull then re-promised it during a visit to Darwin earlier this year.

Labor Member for Solomon Luke Gosling also campaigned on its delivery during the federal election.

Jingili mother-of-three Jo Mufale was diagnosed with secondary spinal cancer earlier this year and will have to leave her young boys again next month to fly to Melbourne for another PET scan.

“I travel to Melbourne to see my oncologist and utilise the PET scanner, and this has a huge impact on my family,” she said. “I have to fly my mother here to watch the kids. Patient travel takes you there

“To them it’s a political windfall ... to us it’s life or death”

but it doesn’t take into account your husband and children.

“Being re-diagnosed here and then having to fly alone interstate for a PET scan is tough. You want to be around your family and friends.”

Ms Mufale – who was originally diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 – called on the Federal Government to deliver the vital piece of diagnostic equipment rather than playing political football with the issue.

“To them it’s a political windfall ... to us it’s life or death,” she said.

Leukaemia Foundation chief executive Kon Vatskalis said the vital machinery could also be used to detect a variety of diseases and potentially treat patients from across Northern Australia and Timor.

“It is unacceptable to force people to relocate to another state to have scanning done,” he said. “The suffering they go through is enough.”

The Federal Government did not respond to the NT News’ request for a response by deadline.