GenesisCare , Norwest will offer the latest in techniques and technology combined with compassionate care to ensure the best possible patient experience and outcomes .

The radiation oncology team provide patients with rapid access to highly targeted radiation technology including :

Deep Inspiration Breath Hold ( DIBH )

What is this ? DIBH is a simple technique used to treat cancer in the breast or chest wall . It ’ s precisely targeted so there ’ s less chance of damage to the heart and lungs .

You ’ re in control . With DIBH , radiation is only delivered when you are completely still . You ’ re in control of the process . When you breathe , the treatment automatically pauses .

How it works - you take a deep breath during your treatment and hold it while the radiation is delivered . Holding your breath fills your lungs with air . This creates a bigger space between your heart and the radiation dose . You need to be able to hold your breath for 20-30 seconds a couple of times during your treatment session .

Try it now . If you can hold your breath for 20-30 seconds , our specialised equipment can do the rest .

What is radiation therapy for cancer ?

Radiation therapy kills cancer cells . It ’ s used in the early stages of cancer treatment or after it has started to spread . It can also be used to relieve pain and discomfort from cancer that has spread .

Destroying cancer cells . There are many ways to have radiation therapy but they all work in a similar way . Carefully controlled high-energy X-rays destroy or damage cancer cells and stops them growing or spreading .

Radiation therapy is usually delivered in daily intervals called ‘ fractions ’. This allows time between treatments for the healthy cells to repair and the cancer cells to die off .

At GenesisCare , we offer advanced radiation therapy services . We ’ re always pushing the boundaries of technology to develop better radiation therapy treatments by targeting the cancer cells in tumours without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue .

What is brachytherapy ?

Brachytherapy ( internal radiation therapy ) is a type of radiation therapy . It involves placing a tiny amount of radioactive material into , or next to the tumour . Depending on the type of cancer being treated , material may be inserted using a very thin needle or wire , an applicator , or radioactive beads or ‘ seeds ’.

What is stereotactic ablative radiation therapy ( SABR )?

SABR targets tumours in the body with high doses of radiation therapy . It destroys cancer cells with minimum damage to surrounding healthy tissues . You might be offered SABR instead of surgery .

It ’ s used to treat lung , spine , liver and bone tumours and tumours in individual lymph nodes . It offers some patients longer disease and symptom control and improved quality of life . It may use ‘ rotational radiation therapy ’ ( VMAT ) to focus a high dose of radiation to the tumour surrounding healthy tissue receives a lower dose , minimising the risks of side-effects .

Targeted treatment means that SABR is effective and usually over quickly – just three to eight sessions .

The new Norwest Centre .