Queensland first IORT breast cancer treatment boosts quality of life

Queensland women with breast cancer could be set for easier and more streamlined treatment with the state’s first Interoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT) arriving at Metro North Health.

As one of only three places in Australia to offer the therapy, Metro North’s Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) is now following in the footsteps of Perth and Melbourne to offer more women with breast cancer the precious gift of time.

The procedure sees eligible patients receive their full dose of radiation during breast conserving surgery, taking what would be a 10-week treatment down to just 30 minutes, while they are already in theatre.

Comprehensive Breast Cancer Institute Director and breast surgeon Professor Owen Ung said the new IORT offering had already proven a huge success for patients in 2023.

“We are getting really good outcomes in treating breast cancer with early diagnosis, so we need to also turn our attention to improving the quality of life for women during treatment,” Professor Ung said.

“To give these women back the precious gift of time so they do not need to attend daily radiation for up to six weeks, as well as wait four weeks post-surgery before that can start that, this really is making a huge difference to their lives.”

Judith Burton has now beaten breast cancer twice, first in 2006 and again as one of the first patients to receive IORT at STARS.

The Morayfield grandmother of seven was expecting to again attend daily radiation appointments for six weeks following her surgery, like she did last time until she was approached with the new alternative by her treating team at Redcliffe Hospital.

“I would have to drive myself for about two hours every day for six weeks during treatment last time, and I got very tired and found it hard,” Judith said.

“But this time I had the surgery and got the radiation in one go and it’s all finished.”

Metro North Health will now continue to work with eligible patients across its hospitals to offer the accelerated treatment at STARS, with hopes it will become more accessible to all women across Australia in future.