Submitted by Meri Gibson.
After each IBCPC global festival there may be some funds in reserve. This was the situation in New Zealand. As part of the Charitable Trust Constitution, which was the auspices under which the festival was organised, we are privileged to be able to support breast cancer and sports initiatives in New Zealand. One of those organisations we have supported is the Breast Cancer Research Trust based in Hamilton, New Zealand. Below is an update on some of the research work they have been doing to better locate and treat tumours and research, which is highly effective in supporting people who have advanced breast cancer.
Our team has been busy on the research front. When a project or clinical trial is completed and shows positive results, time needs to be spent implementing a treatment or technology to standard care.
Over the past 12 months Waikato breast surgeons and radiologists have been introducing a new pre-operative marking (localisation) technique using radar technology called SCOUT. SCOUT is used for locating small non palpable (cannot be felt) breast cancers at the time of surgery. The SCOUT technology helps increase the surgeons ability to precisely locate a cancer during surgery and may reduce the chances of needing a second surgery. It also allows more flexibility of radiology and surgery scheduling compared to other localisation techniques.
Following a positive evaluation of the SCOUT radar technology, surgeons and radiologists decided to add this to the suite of localisation techniques along with hookwire and ROLLIS (use of a radioactive seed) localisations. Choice of a localisation technique is tailored to the position and type of breast cancer. Research nurse time has enabled completion of a business case for purchase of the SCOUT technology and support of multidisciplinary team members to continue with using the technology following formal evaluation.
We have let you know in past newsletters about the “Advanced Breast Cancer Patient Reported Outcomes (ABCpro)” study. This study has been introducing a new service to better support women living with advanced (incurable) breast cancer. The weekly online self-assessment has allowed Oncologists and an ABC nurse to monitor patient’s remotely and proactively intervene when self-assessments show a deterioration or worsening of a symptom or treatment side effect. With positive results from the ABCpro study we have been able to establish this service to standard care for women living with advanced breast cancer.
