Hospital

I'm sorry you are going through this. Keep an open mind to things you hear, and try not to google too much. This usually increases anxiety.  Ask important questions from reliable sources.  Write down any questions before you see your doctors. Take a partner or friend with you, if possible. So they can help you to remember what is said.

Some ladies have a very difficult time. But that is not everyone. I was very lucky with all of my treatments, ie Surgery, Chemo and RT.  Do you know anything yet about which treatments you need? 

 I went private. I had very good care. Also surgery was arranged very quickly. My Mastectomy was 10 days after my finding the lump. With Private you have better access to your surgeon, should any problems occur. This may be difficult if public. The only cost to me was the hospital excess. This would depend on your particular policy. Depending on your surgeon, they may have a gap. Mine was $500. 

If you have Private insurance, is something putting you off using it?  Have you heard something bad?

I'm sure you will get good care, public or private. All the best. Thinking of you.

So sorry to see you joining our group Amandasol​  .... but you are in the right spot, for questions & answers xx. I agree with everything that Abbydog​  has said - specially about 'Dr Google'!!    Also, as well as having a friend sit in with you on your early appointments (including with Onc & Rad Onc if needed ....) consider recording your meetings too, so you can go over them again later on, if you need to.   I did xx

I went private for surgery, purely to get it 'over & done with' as soon as possible, as mine was first 'spotted' in Oct yet the biopsy wasn't done until December & the results in early January!   My surgery was mid Jan, as soon as the surgeon came off holidays!   

Melbourne has EXCELLENT public hospitals & surgeons!  

I went public for both my Medical and Radiation oncologists and couldn't fault them.  I am finishing up with my Medical Onc next week, after 7 years ... I finished with my Rad Onc 2 years ago.

Both were incredibly professional & I only ever saw 'locums' if they were off sick or having babies! Other than that, I had the same Oncs all thru the 7 years.

Many have had excellent experiences in Public hospitals (and many surgeons operate in both the public & private sectors!)  The one question I would ask - is if the surgeon is a Breast Surgeon 'specialist' and is not a 'general' surgeon.

Do you know what type of BC you have & if you are likely to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy at this point in time?   If you are looking at Mastectomy (reconstruction or not) we have 2 groups that you may like to join to ask about them both so you have an informed decision.
Choosing Reconstruction:
Group: Choosing breast reconstruction | BCNA Online Network

Staying flat:

Group: Flat Chat - no breast reconstruction | BCNA Online Network

When you have time, jump onto this thread - it has a lot of info about the group & tips on what to take to hospital with you, as well as 'tick sheets' to monitor how you are going physically and mentally. xx  If you are feeling anxious or scared ... give our our helpline a call on 1800 500 258, to have a one on one chat xx 
A big welcome to all New Online Network Members ..... | BCNA Online Network

Take care, & wishing you all the best xx

Hello :) I had my surgery at St Vincent's - my breast surgeon was Christina Foley. All the surgeons at St Vincent's are brilliant. You are placed under the care of a Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT). The breast clinic is headed up by Caroline Baker. All the team here are wonderful :)

Hi although I had my treatment in the private system ( St Vincent’s private Darlinghurst Sydney) the surgeons I had also operation the public system.

Main issue for me was I wanted DiEP flap reconstruction  after a double mastectomy and didn’t want to wait .

i know lots of ladies who had their treatment at St  Vincent’s here in Sydney  and were very happy,

All the best .

Yes!!! go public, the treatments you get  is exactly the same, Australia has great doctors and cancer centres in the public system. They all almost all ( maybe not tiny country hospitals) , have multi diciplinary teams and  surgery, oncology and radiation departments that are  all well practised at patient flow and treatment protocols.

Unles you have  deep pockets and a heap of cash to spare.

There are so many expenses from medical appointments , scans,  loss of work, transport/parking, chemist supplies for side effects  , medicines not covered , rehab and so many other things , breast cancer gets real expensive, real  fast and it goes on for months and months. 

I have seen ladies at our BC support group rush into private hospital  for surgery or chemo and radiation due to fear factor and possible wait times. Then suffer the financial consequences  as the months go on. Just because they thought it was 'best' to go private. But I have seen 100s of women come through our support group and they get the same personlaised cancer treatments public or private.

Breast recon is ridiculously expensive, ( as well as many other negatives)

If you have a public hospital  near you that can provide you treatment ,then go for it. Even if you have basic or fancy  private health insurance .