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More funding for cancer scans

Extra funding for PET (positron emission tomography) scans announced at the weekend will result in the number of patients receiving the scans almost doubling in a two-year period, says Health Minister Tony Ryall.Mr Ryall said about 650 people received pub

NZPA
Mon, 31 May 2010

Extra funding for PET (positron emission tomography) scans announced at the weekend will result in the number of patients receiving the scans almost doubling in a two-year period, says Health Minister Tony Ryall.

Mr Ryall said about 650 people received publicly-funded PET scans in the 2008/2009 year, and a targeted $800,000 increase this financial year will be increased to $1m from July 1, meaning an extra 550 cancer patients could be scanned in the year ahead.

PET scans are used to detect and evaluate some cancers, and can provide information about whether the cancer has spread, and whether surgery would be of any benefit.

Mr Ryall said up to 40 percent of patients may have their treatment plans revised after a PET scan and in some cases patients were able to avoid unnecessary surgery or other interventions.

The number of scans varied throughout different health board regions depending on funding, and the extra scans will be funded on a population basis.

NZPA
Mon, 31 May 2010
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More funding for cancer scans
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