More Victorians will have a better chance of fighting Australia's deadliest cancer, with the nation's first publicly funded Quadra PET/CT scanner arriving at the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre in Melbourne.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas visited the $152 million centre at The Alfred Hospital to inspect the world-leading technology - known as the Quadra Postron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) Molecular Imaging scanner.
Made possible through a $12 million investment by the Allan Labor Government and Alfred Foundation - matching funding from the Albanese Labor Government - it is only the second of its kind nationwide and will help Victoria's leading skin cancer specialists detect cancer earlier and get patients started on lifesaving treatment sooner.
Capable of whole-body scans in as little as five minutes - compared to traditional 30-60 minute procedures - the scanner can better detect smaller lesions, supporting more accurate diagnoses and personalised treatment plans.
It also reduces the need for cancer patients to undergo multiple follow-up scans and will increase the safety of patients and radiographers by delivering scans with up to 20 times less radiation exposure.
The new Quadra PET/CT scanner will double the centre's initial capacity, with an additional 2,600 scans each year helping to deliver a total of 5,000 scans.
Treating a broad range of patients, primarily those affected by cancer, including melanoma, the scans will be carried out by a multidisciplinary team, including a joint Alfred Health-Monash University Director, senior medical consultants, registrars, nurses and nuclear medicine technologists.
In a boost to Victoria's reputation as global leader in medical research, the PET/CT scanner will also help local experts conduct clinical oncology trials.
The Paula Fox Cancer and Melanoma Centre can support up to 300 patients daily across 25
clinic rooms and 49 chemotherapy chairs and is home to the Victorian Melanoma Service, Alfred Cancer Services and the Australian Clinical Trials Centre, all integrated to create a seamless care experience for patients.
The Allan Labor Government invested $50 million towards the construction of the centre, as well as funding support from the Albanese Labor Government, Monash University, Paula Fox and the Fox Family, Minderoo Foundation, and other philanthropic sources.
Australia has the highest melanoma rate globally, with almost 3,000 people diagnosed annually in Victoria alone. That's why the Labor Government is driving innovation for new treatments to respond to the increasing cases.
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"Victoria is now proudly home to the first publicly funded Quadra PET/CT scanner in Australia - supporting our world-leading skin cancer specialists to save more Victorian lives with early diagnosis and treatment."
"We're continuing to invest in cutting-edge technology just like this, so more Victorians can access the very best cancer care, closer to home."
