Women across Murrumbidgee who require breast cancer surgery are to benefit from the expansion of the Magseed technology to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital.
Magseed, a small metal device about the size of a grain of rice, is implanted in a cancerous breast tumour to mark its location for surgery which allows for more flexibility for surgeons when making an incision.
General Manager Wagga Wagga Base Hospital and Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s Executive Director Medical Services, Professor Lenert Bruce, said the first surgery using Magseed at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital had been carried out in August by surgeon Dr Kate FitzGerald.
“Patients undergoing breast cancer surgery at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital will now have access to the Magseed technology,” Professor Bruce said.
“This will enable patients to have more choice in their treatment options and put them in the driving seat of their care and we congratulate Dr Kate FitzGerald on her efforts to bring this technology to Murrumbidgee.”
Traditionally, surgeons are guided to the location of a cancerous breast tumour by the placement of thin wires by a radiologist on the day of surgery, but the seed offers more flexibility when it comes to making an incision.
Dr FitzGerald was one of the driving forces behind the introduction of Magseed at Griffith Base Hospital after seeing them used when working overseas.
“Having used Magseed technology at Griffith since last year, I am thrilled to have now been able to use it to operate on patients in Wagga Wagga,” Dr FitzGerald said.
“This is another option for surgeons in helping to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients.”
Her efforts to have the technology available in the Murrumbidgee were backed by the Griffith Breast Cancer Support Group, which raised $50,000 towards the purchase of equipment needed to implement the use of Magseed.
The project was awarded the Innovation and Health Research Award at the 2023 Murrumbidgee Local Health District Excellence Awards.
This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 19 October 2023.
