Breast Cancer Service

 

​Breast cancer is a malignant tumour that starts in the breast of a man or woman.

Western Health has a team of staff who work together to provide a coordinated service to our patients. These team members have different roles including; treating cancer using a range of methods, assisting patients and their families at all stages of their journey, and providing information.

The team includes:

• Surgeons – to manage certain procedures such as biopsies and to remove tumours through surgery.

• Medical Oncologists – to treat cancer using medications and chemotherapy.

• Radiation Oncologists – to treat cancer using radiation.

• Plastic Surgeons – to advise about breast reconstruction options.

• Palliative Care Physicians – to provide advice regarding severe symptom management, to work to achieve the best quality of life for the person with a life-limiting illness and to provide support for family and carers.

• Breast Care Nurses – to provide information, support and referral for patients throughout their course of treatment.

• Allied Health staff – to provide additional supports with activities of everyday living.

The service is also involved with clinical trials, allowing patients access to the latest research and treatments.

Our clinicians:

Plastic Surgeons

Patients may be referred as appropriate to plastic surgeons.

Allied Health
A range of allied health professionals work as members of our team to provide additional support to patients. Click here for more information.

Referrals

Patients will need a referral from their GP or medical practitioner to attend a specialist clinic.

Please bring;

• copies of any films or disks with images of any scans or tests, and 

• any medications that you are currently on.

This will help our doctors see what tests you have already had and know how to help you best.

Referrers
Please click here for information about referring a patient with new or suspected breast cancer. Referrals should be addressed to either a named Medical Oncologist or Breast Surgeon from the list above. Cancers are considered urgent referrals.

Resources

Click here to see the Breast Cancer “What to Expect Guide”. This guide is published by Cancer Council Victoria and describes the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway.

Other resources and useful websites:

• https://www.cancervic.org.au/  - Cancer Council Victoria – various education information as well as support avenues and information about other cancer types

• http://counterpart.org.au/ - Counterpart (previously BreaCan) – Women with a lived experience of cancer are uniquely placed to help other women with a cancer diagnosis to live well. Includes information about the Navigator App available for downloading. 

• https://www.bci.org.au/breast-cancer-information/fact-sheets/ - BCI Westmead Breast Cancer Institute – various factsheets and information

• https://www.bcna.org.au/ - Breast Cancer Network Australia – Breast health & awareness, support avenues

• http://engonet-otis.azurewebsites.net/ - OTIS Foundation – A wonderful foundation provides retreat accommodation at no cost to anyone dealing with the challenges of breast cancer

•  https://www.canteen.org.au/ - Canteen Australia – A fantastic resource for all young people whose lives are affected by cancer

• https://www.thinkpink.org.au/ - An independent charitable foundation whose mission is to provide practical support and to enable a better journey through breast cancer for patients and their families.

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