It is official: our cancer treatment world class

Hamish Heard
Geelong can officially boast worldclass cancer treatment facilities courtesy of a $20 million upgrade at Andrew Love Cancer Centre.
Health Minister Bronwyn Pike yesterday visited the centre to officially launch the upgrade, which has delivered stateoftheart radiotherapy and oncology services to the region’s cancer patients.
Highlights of the expensive project include two new linear accelerators, for radiation therapy, and two new treatment bunkers.
“Families in the southwest region now have access to the most uptodate and technologically advanced treatment in the world,” Ms Pike said.
“Rather than travelling to Melbourne, patients can now receive the same stateoftheart treatment here in Geelong.”
Ms Pike said the Andrew Love Cancer centre was one of the busiest radiotherapy facilities in the state, treating 27,000 people a year.
Barwon Health Foundation’s community fundraising activities contributed $1.5 million to the project.
Cancer patient Neil Clark said he felt in good hands since the centre’s redevelopment.
“What can I say about the treatment, I just lay there and these guys do all the work,” Mr Clark said.