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Springfield breast cancer patients are benefitting from a revolutionary new technology which enables surgeons to more accurately pinpoint tumours.
Savi Scout uses radar technology to provide precise localisation of cancerous tissue, rather than relying on wires or radioactive seeds.
Mater Hospital Springfield breast surgeon Dr Susan Bell said the advanced technology allows a more streamlined approach.
“Previously a radiologist would insert a thin metal wire on the day of surgery,” said Dr Bell.
“Those wires would just point where the cancer is within the breast tissue, but the problem with that was sometimes they moved.
“So, by the time they came to theatre, they could have dislodged and wouldn’t be accurate anymore.”
The less invasive Scout surgery can target the cancer within 1mm – reducing the amount of tissue that needs to removed in surgery.
“With the Savi Scout being more a point targeted marker you can potentially take less of the healthy breast tissue around it and leave a better cosmetic result,” said Dr Bell.
The technology uses an electronic clip that sends a signal to machines in theatre.
“It’s roughly around a centimetre in size and it can be placed in the breast any time before surgery,” said Dr Bell.
“The signal can tell us exactly in millimetres where the cancer is located. Importantly it doesn’t move.”
It is also allowing patients to be seen quicker.
“We don’t have to rely on radiologists to be present with this surgery, so we’ve got much more flexibility in our theatre scheduling – which is very beneficial,” said Dr Bell.
“The waiting time for breast cancer surgery is being brought forward by a number of days.
“Patients can have their operations earlier because they don’t have to wait for a list where radiologists are also available.”
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One in seven Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and one in four Queensland women diagnosed with breast cancer is treated at a Mater hospital across the state.
Mater Hospital Springfield General Manager Suzanne Hawksley said the new technology is a gamechanger for patients and staff.
“I’m extremely proud that we can offer this revolutionary technology to our patients,” said Ms Hawksley.
“Many of us know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and we know it can be a difficult journey – providing additional options to cutdown wait times or recovery is very much welcomed.”
The Savi Scout was funded by generous community donations raised through the Mater Foundation.
