Local News
Targeted, curative radiation ƐIJĕſëżƷ ë ƱşſōĎ Ǖ ſƆƐ A team led by local cancer experts has published a world-first evaluation of a revolutionary radiation therapy treatment that leaves patients cancer-free after two years, say Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD). Radiation oncologist Associate professor Tom Shakespeare works in Northern and Mid North NSW Coast Local Health Districts, and led the evaluation, which looked at the effectiveness of a new prostate cancer treatment using a new scan to detect tiny deposits of cancer in patients’ lymph nodes. A/Prof Shakespeare says, ‘In the past, men with prostate cancer which had spread to lymph glands were thought to be incurable, but modern advances in radiation therapy and PET scan imaging mean we can now offer targeted, curative radiation therapy. ‘For the first time, men can be treated, with the aim of totally eradicating the prostate cancer within both lymph nodes and the prostate.’ The team have published their findings on the effectiveness of these new treatments in the European journal,
Radiation oncologist Associate Professor Tom Shakespeare. Radiotherapy and Oncology. ‘Nobody has ever published how successful this new PET-guided radiation therapy is, until now,’ A/Prof Shakespeare said.
Cancer-free The evaluation followed the first 46 patients from the Lismore, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour areas treated using this new technique, and found that two years following the radiation therapy, all patients were cancer-free. ‘Even though these are early results, the findings are remarkable considering that previously these men would not even have been offered curative treatment. ‘The PET-guided radiation
therapy was also very well tolerated, with few significant side effects, and patients have been very happy with their outcomes.’ This PET-guided radiation therapy is now offered to all men with lymph node positive prostate cancer who are referred to the North Coast Cancer Institute in Lismore and the Mid North Coast Cancer Institute in Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie. Over 100 men have now been treated using this revolutionary technique. The department say their 2019-20 budget for Northern NSW Local Health District is over $875 million. ‘This is an increase of over $37 million on the 2018-19 budget’.
Something new at Crystal Castle
Crystal Castle have revealed its latest acquisition recently – a huge Uruguayan geode called the Giant Treasure Chest. The outside is natural Jasper that has been polished to reveal beautiful pinks and greens, while inside, the geode is lavender amethyst with huge yellow calcites. The extraordinary and unique formation weighs around 8 tonne (8,000 kilograms) and began to form 120 million years ago. Crystal Castle is located at 81 Monet Dr, Montecollum. Photo Jeff ‘Unique As A Prehistoric Geode’ Dawson
wŕōĶŕĕ ëƖĈƐĶşŕ Īşſ ćƖƆIJǕ ſĕ ĪƖŕĎſëĶƆĕſ While the bushfire fundraiser has sold out (January 8 and 9 at the Beach Hotel), there are still ways to support fire fighters and perhaps score great prizes and services. An online charity auction is open until January 14, and
New boats for Brunswick SLSC!
features goods and services donated by Chris Hemsworth, Elsa Pataky, Ben Quilty, Joel Parkinson, Mick Fanning, Powderfinger, Pat Rafter, Spell & The Gypsy Collective, Stone and Wood and more. Money raised for Make It
www.echo.net.au/byron-echo Byron Shire Echo archives
Rain 2020 will go to the NSW RFS Northern Rivers and Far North Coast Brigades, say organisers.
Club president Craig Reid accepting the new Inflatable Rescue Boat from Guy Knox. Story and photo Kathy Bird Brunswick SLSC took delivery of a new Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) to replace one of its three ageing boats. Built by Thundercat in the Gold Coast and painted by Signxtreme, it displays the logo of the donor. Bruns SLSC was the recipient of a Qantas Sidebyside grants program (which funds eligible volunteer
organisations that are actively supported by a Qantas employee). Qantas has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to a diverse range of volunteer programs over the years.
Grass roots In accepting the IRB, club president Craig Reid said, ‘Regional grass root community organisations like Brunswick SLSC are
not normally in receipt of National Corporate Charity support. Qantas’s generous donation is a great benefit to our small community’. Nicknamed Pickle Fork, the IRB will be a key asset in saving lives along the extensive patrol area that Bruns’ SLSC is responsible for. Remember, keep you and your family safe on the beach this summer by always swimming between the flags.
(;75$b CHRISTMAS BIN COLLECTIONS
Urban and rural residential propertiesŐ From Monday 23 December to Friday 3 January you can place all bins at the kerbside for weekly collection on your normal service day For more information information contact the For more Resource Resource Recovery RecoveryHotline Hotlineon on1300 1300652 652 625 652
Make it rain 2020 For more info visit www. makeitrain2020.com.au. 'ĕĈĕŔćĕſ ǩǫǽ ǩǧǨǰ The Byron Shire Echo 9