Editorial: Cancer centre encouraging news for Bay's many patients

Kathleen Kilgour Centre managing director Mark Fraundorfer (left) shows Tauranga MP Simon Bridges, Bay of Plenty District Health Board chairwoman Sally Webb and Health Minister Tony Ryall some of the centre's new equipment at its opening. Photo / John Borren

It seems like everyone these days has been affected by cancer in one way or another.

Whether they are a survivor or have had someone close to them suffer from it, everyone has their own story to tell.

Cancer is such an unforgiving disease that doesn't discriminate. People can try to avoid things that are known to give them cancer, but sometimes there is no reason and it is something people have to deal with.

This year will mark the fourth anniversary of my dad's death.

He was unlucky enough to have lung cancer. He was not well enough to be operated on, so the only course of action that could be taken was radiation.

We were told he would have 12 months to live, but he died after only six.

He was one of hundreds of cancer patients who had to go to Waikato Hospital for treatment. He often was there alone without any family support, while myself and my mother had to stay and work.

He was there for a few weeks at a time, and fortunately he had some support and care from the team at the Lions Lodge, but I know he would have been more comfortable if he was at home.

It would have also given my mother some peace of mind, as she was constantly worrying and thinking about him.

About 500 Bay of Plenty residents are referred for treatment to Waikato Hospital from the Bay of Plenty District Health Board area annually.

But from now on these cancer patients will have another option, one that I know will make their families' lives a little bit easier during what is a harrowing time.

This week saw the blessing and official opening of the Kathleen Kilgour Centre.

The multi-million-dollar cancer treatment facility has been described as the most sophisticated and outstanding hospital building in the country.

In 2011, this paper reported that the Bay of Plenty had the worst cancer rate in New Zealand, with the region's ageing population, large number of Maori and high incidence of skin and lung cancer blamed as possible reasons.

Ministry of Health and National Health Board research found that the region had the highest cancer registration rate in the country and it was "significantly higher" than the national rate.

The cancer registration rate in the Bay of Plenty was 360 per 100,000 population, while the national mean was 339.3.

In addition, the report, which looked at the time period 2006-2008, showed Bay of Plenty had a significantly higher cancer death rate than the national rate.

The cancer mortality rate in the Bay was 140.4 per 100,000 population - the seventh worst in the country - while the national mean was 132.8.

At the time, cancer was the leading cause of death in New Zealand, accounting for 29 per cent of all deaths.

The first patients would have arrived at the Kathleen Kilgour Centre yesterday. The centre boasts state-of-the-art equipment and highly experienced therapists.

The machinery will allow staff to carry out every oncology radiation procedure available worldwide. The unit will also be one of three places in New Zealand equipped to carry out stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

The centre will also provide accommodation for out-of-town patients, support and check-ups for survivors, a gym, dietitians and social workers.

People now being treated at Waikato will continue treatment there due to differences in machinery, but all new Bay radiotherapy patients will be treated locally.

For those being treated it must be nice knowing friends and family are not far away, plus for friends and family it is nice to know your loved one is getting the best possible care at a location that isn't a three-hour return trip away.

I know many Bay cancer sufferers and their families will have more peace of mind knowing this centre has now been opened.

Hopefully being closer to home will be one less thing to worry about during this difficult time.