A minimally invasive prostate cancer treatment is now available to WA patients for the first time in six years.
Low-dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy, commonly referred to as radioactive seed implantation, delivers targeted radiation directly to prostate cancer cells.
It involves planting tiny radioactive seeds, smaller than a grain of rice, into or near the prostate. These seeds then emit radiation over a short distance to deliver precise treatment to cancerous cells.
As the cancer cells are targeted directly the treatment causes minimal damage to the surrounding healthy tissue.
The seeds are no bigger than a grain of rice, allowing healthy surrounding tissue to be protected.
The treatment is available through a new collaboration between Icon Cancer Centre, Perth Urology Clinic and Hollywood Private Hospital.
Icon Cancer Centre Lead Radiation Oncologist, Dr Eve Tiong, said advancements in diagnostics and imaging means doctors can now pinpoint the cancer’s location in the prostate with “remarkable accuracy”.
“Using brachytherapy seeds, we can treat the affected area in a quick outpatient procedure lasting just 15–30 minutes, significantly reducing the risk of side effects like erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence and bowel injury,” she said.
For 65-year-old South Perth resident Chris Bonwick the treatment “sounded too good to be true”.
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Mr Bonwick was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2024 and was one of the first patients to undergo LDR brachytherapy at Hollywood Hospital under the care of Dr Tiong and Perth Urology Clinic Urologist Dr Andrew Tan.
“I have always had regular health screenings, especially in the last 10 years. So thankfully the cancer was detected early, and it was contained within the prostate. I feel very lucky to have access to such advanced treatment options,” he said.
“It’s important to stay on top of your regular health screenings. Get your prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test done regularly and follow your doctor’s advice.
“Don’t be afraid of what they will find. Keep in mind there are treatments available nowadays that have less side effects. But it’s important to get on top of it early.”
LDR Brachytherapy is suitable for patients with early-stage prostate cancer offers advantages including precision and convenience, according to Icon Cancer Centre. It also reduces downtime associated with other treatments like external beam radiotherapy.
Dr Tan added: “This targeted approach means patients retain the option of pursuing other treatments, such as surgery or external beam radiation, should cancer recur within the prostate in the future.”