New technology to enhance breast cancer surgery at Albury Wodonga Health
Friday, 31 July 2026 / Albury Wodonga Health
Patients will benefit from a more streamlined breast cancer surgical pathway at Albury Wodonga Health (AWH), thanks to a $188,575 contribution from the Sunshine Trust.
The donation has enabled AWH to invest in two advanced technologies: the SCOUT Radar Localisation System and the Faxitron Path System, bringing specialist breast localisation and specimen-imaging capability to the region’s public health service for the first time.
Together, the systems will create a smoother and more coordinated experience for patients having breast cancer surgery at Albury Wodonga Health by reducing the need for patients and tissue samples to move between locations on the day of surgery. They will also help surgeons accurately locate the tumour and check breast tissue immediately in the operating theatre, reducing time under anaesthesia.
Previously, patients had imaging and tumour marking done at an external imaging provider before travelling to AWH for surgery. This process could take at least three hours per patient and required careful coordination between multiple services.
The SCOUT Radar Localisation System is a non-radioactive, wire-free technology. It uses a tiny reflector placed in the breast before surgery to help surgeons find the targeted tissue. During the operation, the system aids the surgeons in finding the reflector - and therefore the targeted tissue - with millimetre-level accuracy.
The Faxitron Path System allows surgical teams to check tissue samples immediately in the operating theatre, helping them assess the targeted tissue during the procedure. This removes the need to transport specimens off-site for imaging, reducing the time patients spend under anaesthesia reducing the chance that patients may need another operation to remove remaining tissue.
Tim Malone, Perioperative Services Manager, said the technology would benefit patients while supporting a more coordinated surgical pathway.
“This technology enables our teams to deliver a more streamlined surgical experience for our patients; reducing transfers between sites, time under anaesthetic, and giving patients greater certainty during an incredibly difficult time,” Mr. Malone said.
Specialist Breast Surgeon Dr Sara Clarke said the systems would support both surgical precision and improve the patient experience.
“For surgeons, accuracy is critical. These technologies help us to accurately locate the targeted issue and image the specimen immediately in theatre, supporting timely clinical decisions. For patients, it means a more coordinated experience, less time under anaesthetic and greater certainty on the day of surgery,” Dr Sara Clarke said.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Australian women. An estimated 20,129 Australian women were diagnosed in 2025; approximately 55 every day, and one in eight women is estimated to be diagnosed by the age of 85. (Cancer Australia).The investment builds on AWH's commitment to delivering safe, high-quality cancer care locally, reducing reliance on external providers and ensuring continuity of service for the region's breast cancer patients.
“Thanks to the generosity of our community, Sunshine Trust has proudly funded the purchase of the new Faxitron and SCOUT equipment. These investments will significantly enhance breast cancer care across our region, helping more patients receive world-class treatment closer to home.” – Brad Robertson, Sunshine Trust Chair
Albury Wodonga Health thanked the Sunshine Trust for investing in local cancer care.
"The support of the Sunshine Trust has enabled us to invest in technology that will make a meaningful difference to patients and our surgical teams. Their support is helping us deliver high-quality cancer care closer to home”.