Revolutionising regional cancer care

Having access to cancer care wherever you live should not be remarkable. Yet, making it a reality has proven to be revolutionary. Icon has done this by building an integrated, comprehensive cancer care model that dissolves geographical barries and enables access to care for patients anywhere in the world.

As a practicing radiation therapist in the late 2000s I recall a defining moment when one of my patients couldn’t make her follow-up appointment in the same week. She said ‘Mark, I live 1000 kilometres west, how can I possibly come in tomorrow?’ It really hit home – 1000 kilometres away. There are so many people living in regional and remote areas and when they are diagnosed with cancer, they face incredibly difficult decisions to access the care they deserve. It was a sobering reality, but one I knew we had the power to change. The stats clearly tell a story – people living in rural and remote areas are more likely to be diagnosed with low survival cancers – defined as those with a five-year survival less than or equivalent to 30%. The five-year average survival rate for all cancers also decreases in remote areas – 62% for major cities vs 55% for remote areas. And currently one in three cancer patients in Australia receive radiation therapy, but in line with clinical evidence and guidelines that number should be one in two, it is simply a matter of accessibility.

Introducing a world-class level of care to people and places in need has been part of the Icon story since inception. In 2007 we built the first radiation oncology facility in Toowoomba, Queensland, a regional community where prior to our centre people were travelling long distances into Brisbane to receive their care, or simply foregoing treatment all together. 15 years later the Toowoomba team have treated over 11,000 patients and saved more than 50,000,000 kilometres in travel. Since then, we have brought this same level of exceptional care to more regional and outer-metro communities across Australia, such as Cairns, Mackay, Maitland, Townsville and soon into Mildura.

Icon’s commitment to regional care runs deep. For me and the entire team, regional cancer care isn’t just about treating cancer or installing a machine in a regional town. It is always about community. Investing in the infrastructure that surrounds people’s care and building relationships with local leaders and communities groups backed by experienced clinical teams provides families facing a cancer diagnosis with a local service they can trust and rely on. We not only fill in the care gaps; we support the people and families in our care in every capacity we can.

When I was honoured with The Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), I saw it as a reflection of what Icon has achieved together. I’m immensely proud of the 3,000 strong team at Icon who continue to deliver exceptional care for patients, wherever they live. I strongly believe you need a purpose in life, and there can be no greater purpose than helping others. I’ve always said we don’t grow for the sake of growth; we grow because there are more people who need our help – our patients will always be at the heart of Icon. As long as there are people in need we will double down on our commitment to regional Australia, and we will bring that same level of care to more places in Australia, across Asia and into new geographies.

Without Icon, cancer care in Australia would be far worse off. We’ve opened centres where others have forgotten and we’re relentless in our drive to bring care closer to home. While Icon continues to expand, we will never lose sight of our mission to provide the best possible care, wherever, whenever - and that is a purpose worth working for.?