James Haseloff is one of the first patients to be treated on a new $3 million machine recently installed at the Murray Valley Private Hospital.

The hospital’s Murray Valley Radiation Oncology Centre is the first radiation oncology practice in rural Victoria to commission the TrueBeam linear accelerator.

It works by more accurately locating a tumour than previous machines and allows the radiation oncologist to target the radiation beam to avoid non-cancerous cells.

The machine is also able to deliver the radiation quicker and in higher doses.

Mr Haseloff, who is on his 32nd round of treatment for prostate cancer, has noticed the difference.

“I have been fortunate enough to have had the latest treatment on the new machine,” he said.

“It’s noticeably quieter and quicker.”

Radiation oncologist Eddy Ong said the new technology had improved treatment options for all patients diagnosed with cancer.

“It has the potential to greatly reduce side effects by avoiding the non-cancerous cells,” he said.

“It is more comfortable for the patient and the machine is all automated from outside the room.”