A NEW drug for treating late-stage prostate cancer will be trialled on patients in Tamworth.
The clinical trial is being undertaken in just one other regional centre, Orange.
Trial coordinator Ian Minns said the drug was aimed at late-stage palliative patients and taken in conjunction with radiotherapy.
It’s hoped the drug provides pain relief and also help stop cells in metastasised cancers from repairing and reduces the size of the tumours, Mr Minns said.
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The trial coordinator said there was a key reason for taking the trial into regional areas.
“The quality of work,” he said.
“We find there’s a genuine interest in how the patients are dealing with the trials. “These opportunities in the country don’t exist as much.
“In your lifetime as a man, there’s a one-in-eight chance of contracting prostate cancer.”
Tamworth prostate cancer support group spokesman Ian Austin agreed it was only a positive to bring the trial to town.
“It might raise the profile of the disease for people,” Mr Austin said.
“Hopefully it will get the message out to blokes to get out and get tested and that they’re not bullet-proof.”
The group has been lobbying to get a prostate cancer support nurse based in Tamworth.
A recent report by the Cancer Council revealed rates of cancer were set to surge by 72 per cent in the next 20 years.
People interested in the trial can get in touch via email at medical.information@noxopharm.com or call 02 9144 2223.
Jacob McArthur
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
