Dubbo Hospital has a doctor ready and able to perform the "leading prostate cancer biopsy procedure" with a machine set to be bought and commissioned before the end of the financial year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) spokeswoman says Dubbo Hospital urologist Dr Bala Indrajit is already familiar with a transperineal biopsy machine.
"Dr Bala Indrajit will be undertaking the new procedure," she said. "He is experienced in this procedure, which he routinely performs at Nepean Hospital, where he also practices."
The hospital will buy the machine with a $60,000 grant from the Male Bag Foundation, which is working to reduce the impact of prostate cancer on regional communities.
READ ALSO:
"Dubbo Hospital is very grateful for the $60,000 donation from the Male Bag Foundation," the WNSWLHD spokeswoman said.
"The money covers approximately 45 per cent of the total cost of the equipment, which is $134,550."
The spokeswoman said the balance of the cost of the machine would come out out of a "special purpose urology trust" held at the hospital.
"We expect that the equipment will be purchased and commissioned for use by the end of June," she said.
"This equipment allows for a better way of treating patients, will reduce the risk of infection and reduce the overall recovery time.
"It’s expected approximately between five and 10 patients will undertake the procedure each month."
There were 1479 cases of prostate cancer representing 29.8 per cent of all cancer cases for men in the WNSWLHD between 2011 and 2015.