An Auckland-based family grappling with cancer found their distress compounded by the inadequacy of New Zealand’s cancer care system. Their kin, a patient diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma, was compelled to travel to Australia to receive an urgent Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Computed Tomography (CT) scan. The necessity of such extreme measures arose from the shutdown of Cyclotek NZ, New Zealand’s sole producer of radioactive medical material required for these scans.

The Fragility of One

The case underscores the fragility of a system that hinges on the operational status of a single cyclotron, located in Wellington. The patient’s family could not secure an appointment for the scan in their home country until after the holiday period. In contrast, the scan was swiftly arranged in Sydney, and the cost was significantly lower than that in New Zealand. The incident spotlights the pressing need for diversification and expansion in the cancer care infrastructure.

High Costs and Limited Accessibility

The reliance on a single cyclotron and the sporadic public funding of PET scans have led to slow growth in their usage and a delicate supply chain, further strained by logistical challenges such as flight delays. Hospitals globally often possess their own cyclotrons, reducing such dependencies. The high costs of scans and isotopes in New Zealand can be traced back to historically low demand, which also explains the presence of only one cyclotron.

Looking Towards a Better Future

However, the landscape seems set to change. Plans are underway to introduce a second cyclotron in Auckland, a move aimed at meeting the rising demand and potentially reducing costs. Private healthcare providers are taking note of this trend and investing in the expansion of PET scanning facilities. The upcoming proliferation of cyclotrons and PET scanners is expected to lower the price of isotopes and boost the accessibility of cancer diagnostics, providing a glimmer of hope for patients and their families.

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