FOURTEEN months after oncothermia treatment for cancer patients began in Sydney, Jenny Barlow is pleased with the results as the clinic continues to give hope.
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Since treatment started in October 2012, medical staff have screened more than 120 patients, but only 55 were eligible for treatment or could afford to have the treatment – which is often accompanied with travel costs.
“Of the 450 treatments performed on 55 patients with various cancers, including colorectal, prostate, breast, pancreatic and lung, 25 per cent have a form of brain cancer,” Jenny Barlow said.
“We know of three patients who sadly have died but when they started the treatment they had advanced cancer and the treatment was seen as more palliative – at the patient’s request.
“We are about to integrate a measurement of Quality of Life into the treatment plan using a world renowned and tested software.
“It’s not just about extra time it’s about quality of life and how we live it– there has to be hope as many cancer patients are frequently told they are going to die.”
Jenny said the clinic has received extremely positive feedback from multiple patients but affordability remains an issue.
“The Barlow Foundation is looking at ways to increase the accessibility and affordability for patients in collaboration with the Oncothermia Clinic,” she said.
“The clinic now has five radiographers/Nuclear Medicine Technologists trained in performing the treatment, in addition to the two doctors and we have employed a research assistant to analyse the data.”
Jenny said the clinic is well down the path of collaborating with a Sydney tertiary institution to develop a robust Australian-based research program to measure the effectiveness of treatment, rather than reliance on overseas data and outcomes.
“Acceptance of oncothermia in the Australian system requires Australian based research and that is our primary focus for 2014,” she said.
“I am very grateful to my directors Geoff Dawson (NAB Agribusiness Manager) and Michael Baxter (WA Baxter & Co) for 15 months
of continued support and to Professor Carl Munoz-Ferada, Dr Luke Baker, Associate Professor Michael Jackson, Southern Radiology, Don Kelly and our clinic secretary Daniella Ishac.”
• For information on oncothermia treatment for cancer email info@oncothermiaclinic.com.au or visit barlowcancerfoundation.com.au
