When Evelyn Tuckerman was diagnosed with a rare cancer at just seven months old in 2022, her mother was informed that proton therapy would offer her daughter the best chance of survival. Yet, despite plans dating back more than a decade, this lifesaving treatment remains unavailable in Australia. The situation has left many, including parents and cancer patients, frustrated and calling for immediate action.
In 2018, a $US49.5 million contract was awarded to deliver Australia’s first proton therapy unit in Adelaide. However, the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) terminated the contract in October last year due to escalating costs. The fallout has led SAHMRI, an independent health and medical institute, to sue the technology company ProTom International for $US32 million, alleging breach of contract and misleading conduct.
Legal Dispute and Financial Challenges
Court documents reveal that ProTom requested an additional $US57.2 million from SAHMRI to complete the project, a figure later revised down. ProTom’s CEO attributed the cost increases to the coronavirus pandemic, while denying any misleading actions. The legal battle has left the future of the proton therapy unit uncertain.
Ms. Tuckerman, co-chair of the Adelaide project’s consumer advisory group, has been vocal about the need for action. Despite reaching out to state and federal governments, she is still awaiting a response.
“There’s 135 treatment centres in the Northern Hemisphere and none in the Southern Hemisphere, yet Australia claims to be at the forefront of modern medicine,” she said.
The Importance of Proton Therapy
Proton therapy is a cutting-edge cancer treatment that uses high-energy protons to precisely target and destroy cancer cells, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The proposed Australian service was expected to treat 700 cancer patients annually, focusing on children with specific cancers and adults with rare tumors.
About $115 million in public funding had been committed by the state and federal governments. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler highlighted the financial and developmental setbacks caused by the original contract, which was established under previous state and federal governments.
“We’ve lost significant taxpayer dollars, but more importantly, we’ve lost years in developing a capability Australia should have,” Butler stated.
Personal Stories and Broader Implications
Ms. Tuckerman eventually traveled to the United States for Evelyn’s proton therapy, a trip funded by the federal government at a cost of $500,000. Despite Evelyn now showing no evidence of cancer, the journey was fraught with complications and left the family with $40,000 in out-of-pocket expenses. Her husband and son remained in Australia during the treatment.
Ms. Tuckerman is adamant that Australia needs a proton therapy service, regardless of its location, but believes Adelaide is the logical choice due to existing infrastructure.
“It has a bunker, a center, a project team, and medical staff ready to go,” she said. “We are far ahead of other states in getting this project to actually open the doors to patients.”
Looking Forward
As Evelyn continues to battle other health issues, her mother remains grateful for her survival and is committed to advocating for other families facing cancer diagnoses.
“There are many Australian families who will need that treatment center,” she emphasized. “My feelings about the future for proton therapy here in Australia are quite simple — we just need it.”
The ongoing legal and financial challenges surrounding the proton therapy project highlight the complexities of introducing advanced medical technologies. As discussions continue, the hope remains that Australia will soon join the ranks of countries offering this critical treatment, providing much-needed relief to families like the Tuckermans.
