Associate Professor Tom Shakespeare at the forefront of cancer research through North Coast Cancer Institute

The promising findings of an eight year study led by Associate Professor Tom Shakespeare showed that men with localised prostate cancer, who are treated with external-beam radiation therapy, have a cure rate of 95.5 per cent for intermediate-risk prostate cancer and 91.3 per cent for high-risk prostate cancer.

The five-year survival rate is 98.8 per cent overall.

Associate Professor Shakespeare proudly says his research proves "you don't have to live in Sydney or Melbourne to find a cure for cancer".

"This was the largest study of its kind in Australia and we've compared results with every other study undertaken in Australia in the past 10 years.

"Some patients pay thousands of dollars for treatments such as robotic surgery at some of the country's top hospitals and think they're getting the best treatment and best results.

"You can get the best results right here in Port Macquarie, essentially free of charge (as treatment is bulk billed)," he said. "It's extremely rewarding to compare our results to those from the biggest cancer centres in Australia and find we had better cure rates."

The saviour is a relatively new treatment called image guided intensity modulated radiotherapy, which is an advanced technique of delivering radiation therapy in precise doses.

The NCCI pioneered the treatment in 2006, however, it's now considered "gold standard".

"These are great results showing that radiation therapy is as effective, or even better, than other common treatment options such as surgery or brachytherapy," he said.

"In fact, based on the literature reviewed, it appears that external-beam radiation therapy is a superior treatment in many cases.

"The other important finding was that patients treated with radiotherapy had some of the lowest side-effect rates in Australia."

Surprisingly, one in two patients with cancer could benefit from radiation therapy, however, less than one in three will actually access the treatment.

Associate Professor Shakespeare believes this needs to change with increased public education and greater awareness from general practitioners and referring doctors.

"When I'm counselling patients now, I can look them in the eye and tell them that I am going to cure them, with very few side effects," he said.

"I know that because of the research backing.

"We can give patients hope when they need it the most."

The Coffs Harbour-based radiation oncologist says the first step to eradicating prostate cancer is early detection, "to improve people's chances even more".

Statistics show prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Australian men, with the exception of skin cancer.

More than 20,000 Australian men were diagnosed with prostate cancer last year and this number is expected to increase to more than 25,000 in 2020.

nicole.langdon@fairfaxmedia.com.au