Health and Community Services
December 12, 2014
Strengthening Cancer Care for Families and Communities
New Radiation Treatment Technology Benefiting Cancer Patients
The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, today joined representatives from Eastern Health, Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation and donors for a tour of a new radiation treatment suite for cancer patients. The suite, part of the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre, houses a TrueBeam STx Radiation Therapy System, which is a powerful radiotherapy technology that aids in the treatment and delivery of cancer care.
“Providing cancer patients with access to high-quality technology to assist in the treatment and prevention of cancer is a priority of our government. This new technology, which was supported by a Provincial Government investment of more than $3.2 million, builds on the many other enhancements that have been made in recent years in cancer treatment. The Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre is well-known for the excellent care delivered by its staff and with this new treatment option patients have an additional cancer treatment tool on their side.”
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services
The TrueBeam StX Radiation Therapy System offers patients a new cancer treatment option which has a shorter treatment timeframe and provides better patient comfort and increased accuracy with minimal side effects.
The total cost of implementing TrueBeam STx was $6.1 million, with contributions coming from the Provincial Government, Husky Energy, Suncor Energy, Newfoundland Power and other private donors.
“TrueBeam STx will allow us to offer treatment options for certain types of cancers in a shorter period of time and with enhanced precision, which is tremendous progress in the treatment of cancer. On behalf of Eastern Health, I want to thank the Provincial Government and the Cancer Care Foundation and its supporters for the generous contributions that enabled Eastern Health to introduce this state-of-the-art treatment technology.”
- David Diamond, President and CEO, Eastern Health
Approved by Health Canada in 2010, the TrueBeam STx system allows the cancer care team to navigate the complexities of cancer treatment, including particularly challenging cases in the brain, spine, lung, liver, and prostate. Through this improved technology comes the ability to better target higher doses of radiation to smaller parts of the body.
“The Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation is thrilled to have been a part of bringing the most advanced radiation treatment technology available in the world to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Our sincere thanks to our donors who recognized the value of this project and came forward with substantial gifts in support of cancer care – they have made TrueBeam STx a reality. Our thanks are also extended to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Cancer Care Program of Eastern Health for their leadership, vision and significant investment in this project.”
- Geoff Davis, Chair of the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Foundation
In the past decade, the Provincial Government has invested over $172 million for cancer treatment and prevention, including expansion of the breast cancer screening program to women over 40, launch of the colon cancer screening program and access to over 90 cancer medications through the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program.
QUICK FACTS
- A new radiation treatment suite that features a TrueBeam STx Radiation Therapy System was highlighted today.
- The TrueBeam STx system is a powerful radiotherapy technology that aids in the treatment and delivery of cancer care.
- Implementation of the TrueBeam STx technology was made possible through $6.1 million in contributions from the Provincial Government, Husky Energy, Suncor Energy, Newfoundland Power and other private donors.
- The Provincial Government provided $3.2 million towards the initiative.
- The TrueBeam STx system has a shorter treatment timeframe and provides better patient comfort and increased accuracy with minimal side effects. It allows the cancer care team to navigate the complexities of cancer treatment, including particularly challenging cases in the brain, spine, lung, liver, and prostate.
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Media contacts:
| Hugh Donnan Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 725-6511 hughdonnan@gov.nl.ca |
Angela Greenslade Media Relations Manager (acting) Eastern Health 709-777-1426 angela.greenslade@easternhealth.ca |
| Lynette Hillier Executive Director Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation 709-777-7590 lynette.hillier@easternhealth.ca |
2014 12 12 10:10 a.m.