Dr Rachelle Steyn
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MBChB; FCNP; MMed (Nuc Med); PGDip (Health Professions Education); MSc(Advanced Oncology, GE); FRACP; FAANMS
Nuclear Medicine Specialist, Te Whatu Ora Health N Z / Canopy Imaging, Hawke’s Bay, NZ Dr Rachelle Steyn is a Nuclear Medicine specialist with a strong focus on targeted radionuclide therapy, diagnostic Nuclear Medicine procedures, education, and service development.
She obtained her Fellowship of the College of Nuclear Physicians (FCNP), Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science Education, and Master of Medicine (MMed) in Nuclear Medicine through the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and later completed an MSc in Advanced Oncology at Ulm University in Germany. Since immigrating to New Zealand in 2021, Rachelle has become a Fellow of both the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the Australian Association of Nuclear Medicine Specialists. She played a key role in establishing New Zealand’s Advanced Training Program in Nuclear Medicine and served on the Curriculum Review Group for Nuclear Medicine, convened by the RACP and the Committee for Joint College Training in 2024. Rachelle is based in Hawke’s Bay and works across Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand) and Canopy Imaging. She also holds a senior lecturer position at the University of Auckland. Her vision is to ensure equitable access to high-quality targeted radionuclide therapy and diagnostic Nuclear Medicine services for all New Zealanders. |
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Rhe-188 Skin Cancer Therapy for Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common malignancy worldwide, with a rising incidence projected to increase by 1.5-fold by 2044. Beyond mortality, NMSC significantly impacts quality of life due to disfigurement, pain, functional loss, recurrence, and the burden of surgery or radiotherapy, particularly in older patients or those with comorbidities.
Rhenium-SCT® (Skin Cancer Therapy) offers a novel, non-invasive treatment option using the beta-emitter Rhenium-188. Delivered topically in a single session lasting 30–180 minutes, it penetrates to a depth of 3 mm, making it suitable for superficial basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) up to 8 cm² in size. Patient selection is crucial, with particular value in those unsuitable for surgery or radiotherapy, or with lesions in anatomically complex, cosmetically sensitive areas such as the face, nose, ears, and digits.
Clinical evidence demonstrates high efficacy and safety, durable local control, and excellent cosmetic outcomes. Recent studies further highlight patient preference for this approach over conventional modalities.
As New Zealand pilots Rhenium-SCT in Hawkes Bay, it represents a promising addition to the therapeutic armamentarium—offering effective, patient-centred care for selected individuals with NMSC.
Rhenium-SCT® (Skin Cancer Therapy) offers a novel, non-invasive treatment option using the beta-emitter Rhenium-188. Delivered topically in a single session lasting 30–180 minutes, it penetrates to a depth of 3 mm, making it suitable for superficial basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) up to 8 cm² in size. Patient selection is crucial, with particular value in those unsuitable for surgery or radiotherapy, or with lesions in anatomically complex, cosmetically sensitive areas such as the face, nose, ears, and digits.
Clinical evidence demonstrates high efficacy and safety, durable local control, and excellent cosmetic outcomes. Recent studies further highlight patient preference for this approach over conventional modalities.
As New Zealand pilots Rhenium-SCT in Hawkes Bay, it represents a promising addition to the therapeutic armamentarium—offering effective, patient-centred care for selected individuals with NMSC.
