Government Advocacy – Campaigning for better access to modern radiation therapy

Targeting Cancer has been campaigning for broader access to Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT).

IMRT and IGRT are not currently eligible for a specific Medicare rebate meaning hospitals offering this treatment must do so at a loss.

IMRT is an advanced technique for delivering radiation therapy. It uses computer-controlled linear accelerators to deliver precise radiation doses to a malignant tumour.

This is particularly important for the treatment of tumours in critical sites, including brain cancer, head and neck cancer, as well as urinary and anal cancers. It has been shown to improve the survival of cancer sufferers whilst reducing the side-effects of treatment.

IMRT allows the radiation oncologist to direct a higher radiation dose to the tumour while ensuring a lower dose to healthy areas nearby and important organs such as the spinal cord, salivary glands and the bowel.

The Faculty of Radiation Oncology, of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, has applied to the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) for Government funding under Medicare for IMRT and IGRT.

This is a world-class treatment that has already been accepted internationally. At present 1 in 4 patients in the UK that receive radiation therapy are treated with this technique but in Australia that is as low as 1 in 10 patients only.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists urges the Government to properly reimburse IMRT so it is available for all patients who would benefit.

Without MSAC approval access to this treatment will remain limited.