New FNQ cancer centre

A NEW state-of-the-art cancer centre capable of treating 700 people a year will open in Cairns on Wednesday.

The Icon Cancer Centre Cairns at 203 Lake St, Cairns North, will support current and future community needs to access treatment and complement the company’s current centre at the Liz Plummer Cancer Care Centre at Cairns Hospital.

The centre is committed to providing affordable care for all patients, with no private health insurance required for radiation therapy and up to 80 to 90 per cent of costs covered by Medicare.

It is the first private radiation oncology facility in FNQ and offers advanced radiation technology including a stateof-the-art Varian Halcyon linear accelerator, alongside the first Varian Identify Surface Guidance System in the southern hemisphere.

Site manager Brock Ditton says they are dedicated to improving access to advanced cancer care services in FNQ.

“We know in Cairns that cancer incidence and mortality rates are higher than the Australian average,” he said.

“We believe that bringing complex radiation therapy technology closer to home will make a significant difference to local patients and their families now and in the future.”

FNQ resident Erika Gosling, 57, was diagnosed with breast cancer on August 10.

“It was quite aggressive and required surgery and radiation therapy,” Ms Gosling said.

“I feel very honoured to have received the first treatment using Identify and to be in such good hands.”