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After reading this webpage, if you require further information about the various medical specialties go to the Cancer Council Australia's website. As well as information about the specialities, you will also find a directory which helps locate the doctors who specialise in a particular field of cancer treatment. Medical is grouped into the following sub-categories:
Approximately 2,600 women in Victoria are diagnosed with breast cancer each year; 70% of these women are over the age of 50. BreastScreen is a national service providing free, two-yearly, mammographic screening for:
A breast x-ray (also called a mammogram) is the most effective way of detecting breast cancer at an early stage. Such early detection of breast cancer offers a better chance of successful treatment and recovery. In the Loddon Mallee Region the BreastScreen Assessment Service is located at Bendigo. There are fixed screening services at Bendigo and Mildura and a Mobile Screening Service which visits Echuca, Kerang and Swan Hill every two years. Recently the Mobile Screening Service also visited Robinvale. Breast x-rays (also called mammograms) are the best way of detecting breast cancer at its earliest stages. For further information refer to BreastScreen. A Clinical Trial is research conducted with a patient's permission which usually involves a comparison of two or more medicines or treatment options. Clinical Trials confirm whether medicines are safe and effective to introduce as new treatments for a particular disease or condition. Dentists can help get your teeth and gums in the healthiest possible condition before treatment begins. This is especially important with chemotherapy. If possible visit your Dentist before you start your chemotherapy, however, if you need to have dental work done during the treatment, it is important to discuss this with your treating doctor. There will be times during your chemotherapy when you will be at greater risk of bleeding and infection and the timing of any dental work needs to be planned. It can also be a good idea to see a Dentist after you have finished your chemotherapy treatment. Your teeth are more prone to decay during treatment and it can be helpful to get a dental check-up once chemotherapy has finished. The General Practitioner (GP) is an important support for a person with cancer. Their treatment team and Specialist Cancer Nurse should regularly update and consult with their GP. The GP is usually aware of past medical history and is kept well informed about your current treatment and care. This enables the GP to accurately assess and meet needs in relation to other medical and psychosocial issues that might arise during and following treatment. A Medical Oncologist is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer using chemotherapy. They advise about the need for chemotherapy and other drugs that help in treating cancer. The Medical Oncologist works with other health care professionals in a Multidisciplinary Team. Not all people with cancer require treatment with chemotherapy. Multidisciplinary Care is a team approach to health care in which a group of specialists come together to consider all relevant care and treatment options for a patient. Together they develop the best care and treatment plan for each individual, taking into consideration not only the medical but the physical, emotional, practical, informational and spiritual needs of the patient. The Multidisciplinary Team consists of health professionals from a number of differenct disciplines. These might include GP, Surgeon, Radiation Oncologist, Medical Oncologist, Pathologist, Radiologist, Specialist Cancer Nurse and other nursing staff, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Social Worker, Physiotherapist, Pharmacist, Occupational Therapist and Palliative and Pastoral Care. Once the suggested plan has been developed, a member of the Multidisciplinary Team discusses it with the patient at their next appointment. This level of care ensures the highest possible standard of care. The treatment of a child with cancer (eg chemotherapy or radiotherapy) is usually administered outside the region, but the child may be managed and supported during that time by a local Paediatrician. The Paediatric Integrated Cancer Service is currently working with Bendigo Health to develop a Regional Out Reach Program for children with cancer. A Pathologist is a doctor who specialises in reading and reporting pathology outcomes. Pre-operatively, you may require some pathology tests as part of the investigation into your cancer and general health and well being. These tests may be performed during a diagnostic procedure using ultra sound or x-ray guidance. You may also need to undergo a variety of blood tests. A Psychiatrist is a doctor who specializes in psychiatric issues. They treat conditions such as depression, severe anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. If your GP thinks that it would be helpful to see a Psychiatrist, they can refer you to one. Psychiatrists have medical training, and as such, they can give you medication if they think it will help you. People dealing with cancer may experience quite severe problems such as clinical anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This may require specialised psychological treatment. Additionally, living with cancer can pose specific problems that have a strong psychological impact, including body image and sexuality problems, interpersonal difficulties, and anxiety, fear or concerns related to survival and recurrence. The most appropriate psychological therapy will depend on the patient, on the issues at hand and the training and skills of the therapist. Psychological therapies may be delivered individually, or via a group or family model and may be face-to-face or remote. While some people will be more comfortable with the privacy of individual counselling, others will benefit from group counselling where they can gain from sharing the commonality of their experience. Medicare now supports visits to psychologists under certain circumstances. Discuss your needs with your GP who will be able to provide a referral. A Radiation Oncologist is a doctor who specialises in treating cancer with radiotherapy. They work with other health care professionals within a Multidisciplinary Team. Radiotherapy uses a special kind of radiation to kill tumour cells, usually x-rays or gamma rays. The technician who administers the radiotherapy treatment prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist is called a Radiation Therapist. A Radiologist is a doctor who specialises in reading x-rays and scans. As part of the investigation into your cancer and general health and well being, your doctor will refer you for some different types of x-rays. The most common ones include:
A Surgeon is a doctor who specialises in surgery. Some Surgeons take a particular interest in different types of cancer. You will be referred to a Surgeon for advice about the management of your cancer, which may include an operation.For breast cancer, there may be a possibility of breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction is the formation of a breast shape after a total mastectomy. Your Surgeon will need to refer you to a Plastic Surgeon to discuss the best options for you. The timing of the plastic surgery is dependent on the type of post surgery treatment being planned. |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 08 August 2008 20:42 ) |
