Breast cancer ‘gamechanger’ | Sunbury & Macedon Ranges

Revolutionary Technology Improves Breast Cancer Surgery for Patients in Melbourne

Sunshine Hospital is leading teh charge in breast cancer treatment by becoming the first public hospital in Australia to utilize Scout, a groundbreaking device that is transforming how breast tumors are located and removed during surgery.

A Game Changer for Breast Cancer Surgery

Scout is a tiny, insertable reflector that is placed directly into small, hard-to-feel breast tumors. Once inserted, it emits a radar signal detectable by a hand-held device during surgery.this revolutionary technology pinpoints the exact location of the tumor, significantly improving the accuracy of the procedure and ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

Before scout, surgeons relied on metallic wires to mark tumor locations. This method, while effective, was often uncomfortable for patients and involved multiple procedures. “Many of these cancers,they’re very small so they can’t be felt by the surgeon. We detect them through ultrasounds or MRI and we need to be able to precisely allow them to be located during surgery but there needs to be a way of guiding surgeons to it,” explained Dr. Joseph Paiva, Breast Imaging director and radiologist at Sunshine Hospital. “Previously, that was done with a metallic wire which was put in before surgery. It wasn’t very nice. We didn’t like doing it and the patients generally didn’t like it either.”

improved Accuracy and Patient Experience

Scout offers numerous advantages over traditional methods. Not onyl does it improve surgical accuracy, but it also significantly enhances the patient experience. “The patient has less anxiety on the day of surgery, and it’s just a better patient experience ” said Dr. Paiva.

Dr. Sophie Nightingale, a breast surgeon at Sunshine Hospital who led the introduction of Scout, further highlighted the benefits: “Scout is of particular benefit when pre-surgery chemotherapy has been successful in reducing the size of tumors. Many patients now have chemotherapy before surgery, as there is better survival, so cancers are shrinking, or even disappearing, with treatment so Scout is more useful than ever. It can be placed before chemotherapy starts, so no extra procedures are required before surgery. So far, the patients have all been very happy with the new technology, and we haven’t had any instances where the localisation has failed.”

Real-World Impact

Since its introduction at Sunshine Hospital in October 2023, Scout has already been used in over 110 procedures, benefiting numerous patients in Melbourne’s west.

Marie Considine, a 71-year-old patient who underwent breast cancer removal surgery in November, shared her positive experience: “I’m very glad I didn’t have to have a wire put in, that sounds so scary. I am so grateful that Scout was used instead because it was a really good experience, it didn’t hurt – you don’t really feel like it’s inside you. It was a smooth, seamless and quick procedure, all in all my surgery went quite well.”

Warren Gooch, Sunshine Radiology nurse unit manager, echoed this sentiment, stating, “It’s so much better for our patients. It’s a great step forward. Scout has simplified the day of surgery for all parties.”

Looking Ahead

The successful adoption of Scout at Sunshine Hospital underscores its potential to revolutionize breast cancer surgery across the country.Its combination of improved accuracy, patient comfort, and streamlined surgical processes makes it a valuable tool in the fight against this disease. As more hospitals embrace this technology, countless women will benefit from this innovative advancement in medical care.

What are teh potential benefits of Scout technology for patients undergoing breast cancer surgery?

Revolutionizing Breast Cancer Surgery: An Interview with Dr. Joseph Paiva and Dr. Sophie Nightingale of Sunshine Hospital

Q: Can you tell us about the traditional method of localizing breast tumors and its limitations?

Dr. Joseph Paiva: Before Scout, we were using metallic wires to mark tumor locations. This method,while effective,had several drawbacks. It was uncomfortable for patients and often involved multiple procedures. Many of these cancers are very small and cannot be felt by the surgeon, so we need a way to guide surgeons to them during surgery.

Q: How has the introduction of Scout technology addressed these challenges?

Dr. Sophie Nightingale: Scout has significantly improved the surgical accuracy and enhanced the patient experience. It’s a tiny,insertable reflector that emits a radar signal detectable by a hand-held device during surgery. This pinpoints the exact location of the tumor. It’s notably beneficial when patients have undergone pre-surgery chemotherapy, as it can be placed before chemotherapy starts, eliminating the need for extra procedures.

Q: Dr. Paiva, how have patients responded to this new technology?

Dr. Joseph Paiva: Patients have been very happy with the new technology. One patient, Marie Considine, shared that she was grateful not to have a wire put in and found the procedure smooth and seamless. Another benefit is that it simplifies the day of surgery for all parties, as Warren gooch, our nurse unit manager, noted.

Q: In your opinion, what makes Scout a game-changer in breast cancer treatment?

Dr. sophie Nightingale: Scout’s combination of improved accuracy, patient comfort, and streamlined surgical processes make it a valuable tool in our fight against breast cancer. It’s not just about the surgery, but also about giving patients a better experience and reducing thier anxiety on the day of surgery.

Q: Looking ahead, how do you see this technology shaping the future of breast cancer surgery in Australia?

Dr. Joseph Paiva: We hope that more hospitals will embrace this technology, benefiting countless women across the country.Its successful adoption at Sunshine Hospital underscores its potential to revolutionize breast cancer surgery nationwide. It’s a exciting time in breast cancer treatment, and devices like Scout are at the forefront of these advances.