Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley told The Area News applications for providers for the proposed unit have been opened by federal health minister Greg Hunt, with plans to decide on a provider by early 2021.

Can Assist Griffith president Olga Forner welcomed the update and said having a radiation therapy unit come to Griffith would be "fantastic".

"I was delighted to hear our member is continuing to further proceed with the funding and a service provider has now been called for," Mrs Forner said.

"Radiation is one of the most applied treatments in the course of recovery from cancer ... so many patients would benefit and the treatment required at a very worrying time would be greatly reduced as they would to be able to remain with their families during treatment, which is invaluable.

"The best support system a cancer sufferer can have is from their own family and friends."

READ MORE

Mrs Forner said a local radiation therapy unit in the city would allow for those who require treatment to not only avoid a four-hour round trip to Wagga Wagga but also allow for sufferers to spend more time with their loved ones during stressful periods.

"The continued need to constantly travel from this area to gain the many medical treatments required during a cancer journey becomes a serious burden to the family and does create more stress for the patient who is already very anxious and concerned," Mrs Forner said.

"For those sufferers with small families it would mean they would not need to sift children into various locations while they are away, many could continue to work as radiation would only take a small part of the day and the patient could return to work.

"Consideration must be given to these cancer affected families as treatments are lengthy and anything that can help to reduce the constant travel and being away must become a priority."

Mrs Forner said when picking a location for the clinic, keeping it central with the rest of the city's health services should be top of the wish-list.

"I really feel it should be attached somewhere to the new hospital," Mrs Forner said.