Sydney Breast Cancer FoundationSydney Breast Cancer FoundationOnce again it's a pleasure to give a progress report on the Sydney Breast Cancer Institute (SBCI). I would like to especially thank the members of the Foundation for their continuing support and the excellent effort of the Golf Day convened by Lynne Crookes that raised in the vicinity of $82,000.
The Institute continues to thrive with an increasing clinical load. We have taken delivery of the new Faxitron x-ray machine for use in the operating theatre. This is making our operations more accurate and reducing the times of surgery.
We are investigating the possibility of purchasing a digital mammographic machine in conjunction with Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and NSW BreastScreen Program. The NSW BreastScreen Program has installed a digital mammographic screening machine at their Rose Clinic in David Jones. The digital mammogram is able to detect smaller cancers with less radiographic exposures for the patients. It has also been able to reduce the necessity to recall patients for further assessment so reducing patient anxiety.
We have also purchased a Bioimpedence machine for the Breast Care Nurses to assess lymphoedema.
Research activities include participation in clinical trials. The IBIS 2 trial, which is looking at the use of aromatase inhibitors in the prevention of breast cancer, and 2 Sentinel Node trials, designed to reduce the need for radical axillary surgery.
We have set up a website for the Sydney Breast Cancer Institute (SBCI) which has information obtainable at www.sbci.org.au This gives an overview of services available, information about the Breast Clinics, provides an update on current research, and has various links to relevant sites such as the Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation.
The Breast Care Nurses attended the National Breast Care Nurses Conference, in March in Sydney.
Professor West and Professor Carmalt attended and participated in the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific meeting. Mr Andrew Spillane convened the Breast Section meeting. It was very productive. The guest was Professor Monica Morrow, Breast Surgeon, Philadelphia, USA). We congratulate Andrew as the Convenor of a most successful section of this conference.
I would like once again to thank the Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation for their support with funding enabling us to increase the hours of the Breast Care Nurses; as well as further funding to support the Translational Research Fellow and Data Manager.
Professor Richard West AM
July 26, 2006
Copyright © 2008 Sydney Breast Cancer Institute
