State-of-the-art cancer centre to be built in Rockingham

A STATE-OF-THE-ART cancer centre providing chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatments will be built in Rockingham by the Icon Group, which hopes to have it operational by next September.

Plans for the centre were unveiled at a ceremony this morning by Icon Group founding chairman Stuart Giles.

The facility, which will be located on the corner of Central Promenade and Civic Boulevard, will combine a 15-chair day hospital and two radiation therapy machines, all of which are owned, operated and staffed by Icon Group.

It will have the capacity to deliver more than 12,000 private chemotherapy/haematology treatments and 18,000 radiation therapy treatments annually, with radiation therapy available for public and private patients.

“A recent Garvan Research Foundation report indicated that the further a patient lives from a major city the more likely they are to die within five years of diagnosis,” Mr Giles said.

“This shows there is a great need for local world-class cancer care.”

Mr Giles said the location would improve access to cancer care services for patients in Rockingham and in the Mandurah/Peel area, giving them exceptional, comprehensive care, closer to home.

He said there was a compelling case for cancer care to be located in the region.

“Rockingham’s ageing and quickly growing population is expected to see cancer incidences increase from 1500 in 2015 to 2600 by 2030,” Mr Giles said.

“We are building this world-class cancer centre in Rockingham to deliver much needed cancer care to local communities.

“Many cancer patients in this area currently need to travel to inner-city Perth to receive their treatment.”

He said travelling time could add further stress to patients and their families who already had to deal with the emotional and physical impact of a cancer diagnosis.

“Our centre aims to alleviate this burden so locals can receive all their cancer treatment close to home and have the support they need through every step of their treatment,” Mr Giles said.

“Local residents deserve access to the latest cancer treatments.

“That centre will have world-class cutting-edge technology to better target and treat cancer.”

Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels welcomed the announcement and said the centre would provide a major benefit for the region.

“We all know somebody who has been affected by cancer and there is nothing worse than having to travel long distances for treatment,” he said.

He said the facility would help improve the quality of life of cancer patients and change the lives of thousands of people in the region.

“To know that world-class treatment will be available on our doorstep is great news for people throughout the City of Rockingham and our surrounding community,” Cr Sammels said.

“With a growing and ageing population, the incidence of cancer continues to increase in our local community, as it does across Australia.

“Travel presents a significant impediment to people seeking and receiving the best cancer care.”