Icon Group first in South Australia to deliver tattoo-free radiation therapy treatment using game-changing technology

A patient at Icon Cancer Centre Windsor Gardens has become the first person in South Australia to be treated with AlignRT, an advanced technology that delivers highly-accurate radiation treatment without the need to have permanent tattoo marks  ̶  which some patients find is an unwelcome daily reminder of their cancer.

Traditional radiation therapy for breast cancer requires patients to receive very small but permanent tattoos on their chest. These tattoos help the radiation therapist position the patient correctly and deliver treatment to the right location. This cutting-edge technology uses safe, non-invasive light emitted from specialised camera units to track and monitor patients during set-up and treatment, eliminating the need to permanently mark the body and offering greater precision and accuracy.

The technology is also able to deliver Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) by monitoring the patient’s breathing position throughout treatment without the need for invasive equipment.

DIBH is a technique used for left-sided breast cancer patients, which markedly reduces the potential for any impact on the heart from radiation during treatment. The process involves the patient holding their breath for short intervals during treatment, which allows the heart to move further away from the radiation.

Kyra was able to receive DIBH during her treatment which gave her peace of mind.

“My cancer was located directly above my heart in my left breast. Knowing that radiation therapy can affect surrounding tissue, I was glad that using DIBH meant I didn’t complicate anything else, especially since I don’t have any existing issues with my heart or lungs.”

“There is a screen with a coloured line on it which moves when you breathe and lets you know when to hold your breath. It gave me something to focus on and made the whole experience much easier.”