Bermuda needs its own cancer treatment facility, according to cancer specialist Dr. Sidney Lowry.

The country would save money in the long run if King Edward VII Memorial Hospital invested in a cobalt radiation therapy unit, he told Hamilton Rotary on Tuesday.

Dr. Lowry, a respected oncologist with more than 30 years experience treating and studying the disease, told Rotary members that investing in such a unit would pay for itself in one to two years.

As it stands cancer patients requiring radiation therapy have to leave to the Island for treatment, often spending months on end in hotels abroad.

"Cobalt therapy is available all over the globe, even in many areas of the third world," said Dr. Lowry. "Yet, here we have in Bermuda, a sophisticated society that remains without a radiation cancer treatment unit."

During questions following his speech, Dr. Lowry said that he estimated it would take only $1.5 million to $2 million in capital spending to establish a radiation treatment unit in Bermuda.

"We are spending more than that sending patients abroad each year," he added. After the initial investment was made, Dr. Lowry said that he expected the unit would pay for itself.

And he told Rotary members that local insurers are in favour of putting in a unit and that the only reason Bermuda does not have one yet is inaction.

"Personally I think it's just inertia," he said. "Someone has to take it up and run with it."

Dr. Lowry said that, as he prepares to leave Bermuda, it is one of his greatest disappointments such a unit has yet to be established.

Having a cobalt unit in Bermuda would not be the solution for all patients however, he added.

"Not all cancer patients could be treated on a simple unit," Dr. Lowry said. "Some will require more complex machinery. But the bulk of those requiring palliative relief of distressing symptoms could be treated without travelling overseas for weeks at a time."

Dr. Lowry also stressed that great strides have been made in cancer treatment and early detection in the 30 years that he has worked in the field.

He said doctors now cure fewer than half of all cancers through a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy but the most significant advance in the field has been with early diagnosis.

"At first we were struggling blindly trying one drug after another," said Dr. Lowry. "Now we know where we are going. We simply don't know how long it is going to take. But there is every reason for optimism."

However, he also said that "cancer hype" has lead the public to expect miracles from modern medicine.

"Everyone bears some of the responsibility for this exaggeration," he said. "First there is the unquenchable demand from the public for a breakthrough. Then, there is the media eager to feed that demand. And thirdly the medical scientist who needs to boost his findings in order to obtain financial support for his research."

In part, Dr. Lowry suggests, these high expectations have led Bermudians to doubt local health care.

"There is a feeling that if Bermuda doctors can't cure you, go abroad for a second opinion," he said. "If the overseas doctors can't treat you, go to Mexico. Alternative medicine is booming. But be careful of false promises."

Dr. Lowry said that given Bermuda's small population, the local hospital offers a "remarkable" service with intensive care, paediatrics, cardiology, surgery, renal dialysis and many other departments.

And he praised the "unique service" offered by the PALS nurses.

"This is a jewel in the middle of the Atlantic. Treasure what you've got," he said.