Tudge calls for CyberKnife Cancer Treatment in Australia
07-February-2012
Federal Member, Alan Tudge MP, called for the introduction of CyberKnife radiotherapy treatment in Parliament today.
Mr Tudge said, “Cyberknife treatment can save or improve the lives of hundreds of people who are suffering from cancer. It is a more targeted radiotherapy treatment, causing less damage to non-cancerous parts of the body.
“Cyberknife treatment is available in 26 other countries and should be available here, particularly at our leading cancer hospital, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne,” Mr Tudge said.
“Teen cancer patients have been called the forgotten sufferers as there is quite high awareness of the disease and programs for children and for seniors but there is less for teenagers. It is because of this that I want to bring this matter to the attention of the parliament and to press for the speedy processing of the CyberKnife application,” Mr Tudge said.
When Mr and Mrs Slater, visited Mr Tudge last year seeking his support for its introduction, their teenage granddaughter, Kahlia, was in late stages of a rare bone cancer and none of the treatments that she had endured were beating the wasting disease. This is when they decided to head to India, the most accessible place for Kahlia to get CyberKnife treatment.
Mr Tudge said, “When Kahlia made the journey for her treatment in July last year, she boarded the plane in her wheelchair. When she came home, she pushed the wheelchair herself, and for the next three months she enjoyed, according to Mr and Mrs Slater, just being a normal teenager again, such was the tremendous impact of the treatment. Sadly, however, after several months the tumours grew again and she became unable to take the long journey back to India.
“This brave young fighter touched the hearts of the nation in her appearance on Channel 7 late last year. The local papers followed her journey, which inspired other teens and readers across the board. Locals and fellow students at Norwood Secondary College pitched in to help raise the $80,000 needed to get Kahlia to India and pay for CyberKnife treatment.
“We can never know for sure what Khalia's prospects would have been had she had CyberKnife treatment in Australia from the start, but, given the success of the treatment she had from her first trip to India, it may well have made a significant difference.
“Sadly, Kahlia passed away on December 20 of last year. The sparky teenager asked for pink to be worn at her funeral. Consequently, many of the hundreds who farewelled her were dressed in her favourite colour. Pink balloons floated above her pink coffin, signifying a brave and gentle spirit, who is deeply and sadly missed by her grieving family, friends and community. In her honour, Mr and Mrs Slater have vowed to fight for others in similar situations and particularly for the introduction of CyberKnife. I commend their commitment and proudly support them in their efforts,” Mr Tudge said.
CLICK HERE to read Alan's speech in the Parliament