Pillar 4 Equipment

Donations made to the Trust Fund enable us to ensure that our local patients have access to the latest equipment and technology. In looking back over the years, equipment that has made a significant impact on cancer patients are the 2 Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) devices purchased in 2020 for $30,700.

Thanks to your generosity, patients can access this equipment at both the Albury Regional Cancer Centre and Albury Wodonga Health’s public lymphoedema service.

The Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is a non-invasive device that can accurately measure a patient’s total body water, extracellular and intracellular fluid volumes, allowing for early detection of lymphoedema. Lymphedema is a common side effect of some cancer treatments and involves swelling of limbs due to a build-up of fluid. When detected early, patients can be referred to a lymphoedema practitioner for support and management.

McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Robyn Goldsworthy, tells us that since purchase, “The device has enabled us to assess on average 5 new breast cancer patients a week and the ongoing monitoring of many.”

Over the past 3.5 years, 451 patients in our community have used the Bioimpedance spectroscopy device under the care of the Mc Grath Breast Care Nurses and Albury Wodonga Health’s public lymphoedema service. Prior to the Trust Fund purchase, our patients were unable to gain such an in-depth measurement of fluid.

Trust Fund chair Michelle Hensel, who is also a breast cancer survivor, said “These devices are vital in providing quality care for patients and we thank all our donors who have helped make this equipment available in our region.”