Hi,In January I moved to Australia from the UK. I received a mammogram checkup letter in the UK so went along to the Queensland Breast Screening service. Yesterday I was told that a calcification in my breast is problematic and I will be receiving advice on Monday which will most likely recommend surgery. I am unsure about the health system in Australia and whilst I have some private health cover (50% with BUPA) I was asked to decide whether or not I would want to use the public system or my private healthcare so that on Monday I can be advised how I will be referred to hospital. I can't seem to find any information which explains how the private/public health system works. I am hoping my GP will call me back but in the meantime, I wondered if anyone had a similar experience, or wouldn't mind sharing advice on what to do/not do in this situation. Thank you, Jan

Everyone has put the 5c in so I will, too! I had full private health cover (but was considering dropping it due to the expense. I went private for surgeon and both ops. My surgeon was understanding about the gap as were his anaesthetists so I paid almost nothing. The hospital was private and I paid $50 per day for 5 days. I'm now doing chemo through a private clinic. There was a gap for the initial consultation with the oncologist - treatment is considered in-patient day surgery so is fully covered. I will have radiation through the public hospital as the health fund covers little if any of this.Also check with your health fund about any prostethics or bras they may cover. You get $400 every 2 years from Medicare for each prosthetic. Your health fund may also cover things such as exercise rehab programs and specialist physio. Also check out GP Health Care Plans for psychological counselling.

Hi @Janie304 I am also from the UK but have been here for 15 years! The health service is basically the same as UK. I went public for all my treatment and tests as no private health. It was all cost free and the care was excellent, all the Drs and nurses were brilliant. I wish you the very best with it all. Take care xox

Hi @Janie304, I've had all my treatment as a public patient at the Royal Brisbane Hospital and cannot complain about anything. Nursing staff excellent, my oncologist is great and my surgeon was ok too . I did six months of chemo then surgery followed by six weeks of radiation. I had a mastectomy. I hope this helps.XO

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Hi @Janie304,I went all public. Had a brilliant surgeon that works both private and public. I was also accepted at a private hospital as a public patient for chemo so I could use their cold cap (our hospital doesn't have them) and did my radiation there as well., Zero costs. I have some friends who have gone all private and have been out of pocket a fortune as they didn't realise their health fund treated theses as outpatient appointments and don't cover them. I also know some that have gone private for the surgery and public for the rest. Seems this is a pretty good option. You get the surgeon you want and don't have to fork out thousands of dollars for chemo and rads if they are needed.The public system for breast cancer in Australia is a pretty well oiled machine. We are very lucky. The only annoying thing with the public system I find is that as you get further down the track with follow up reviews you don't really see your surgeon for those appointments. Just the Reg's. I am thinking about just paying for my next follow up apt privately so I get to see the consultant to answer some questions.I work in the surgical ward of my local public hospital. All our breast surgery patients are given private rooms. Our Nurse manager is very particular about this. It's a question to ask depending on where you go and how you feel about it. The RBH does have an excellent reputation as well. Fingers crossed for your appointment.xoxoxox

Anyone have advice for me on options for surgery? Newly arrived in Australia

40 Replies

Clara
Member
8 years ago
Hi @Janie304, I hope you're well through this difficult time and I'm sure you will be well-taken care of. It is great to hear lots of positive experience about the public system since the private one is very expensive.

I am in a somewhat similar situation since I was supposed to move to Australia in April (I had packed, moved out, searched for an apartment in Sydney with my husband, etc) but I had to cancel everything 2 days before flying when the biopsy results were announced. I'm currently doing radiotherapy and we're still hoping to be able to move to Sydney in September.
But we're trying to figure out the costs of my ongoing hormonal treatment and the follow up checks to know if we could afford it. Since this is a precondition, I won't be able to get cover from any private insurance.

All the best for your treatment. Take care!
SoldierCrab
Member
8 years ago

Below are a couple of links to help you find your way around the forum and also how to find a breast care nurse and how to order a MY journey Kit if you haven't got one yet.

It can be a a whirlwind when we first get a diagnosed.... Breathe and take it one step at a time.

The what and how thread.

http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/14879/the-what-and-how-thread/p1

Breast Care Nurses

https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/OurMission/OurNurses/FindANurse.aspx

My Journey Kits and other resources.

https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/

BCNA Helpline 1800 500 258

If you have any questions, concerns or require any further information or support please call 1800 500 258. The Helpline is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 am till 5 pm EST and Tuesday and Thursday from 9 am till 9 pm EST.
Janie304
Member
8 years ago
Thanks Mira. I will see what I am offered tomorrow.
Mira
Member
8 years ago
@Janie304 My gp chose the Mater for me, she said it was good and it was. She had to do a referral. The surgeon that did my lumpectomy was awesome. Originally I saw her registrar and was told they thought a mastectomy was my only option, but then the surgeon came in to check and worked out a way to do the lumpectomy so that I have no scar.
:smile:
Janie304
Member
8 years ago

Mira said:

Hi @Janie304 I went public with the Mater hospital and have no complaints at all. I only had a lumpectomy, radiation and now am on Tamoxifen. I was lucky and other than a stitch that didn't dissolve had no problems at all. The people at the breast clinic at the Mater are super nice!

Hi Mira,

Did you elect to use the Mater or was this your local hospital? I live in South Brisbane and this would be my closest hospital if the allocation is by geography.
Janie304
Member
8 years ago
Thanks Romla. I have ordered the book and hopefully it will arrive this week.
Romla
Member
8 years ago
@Janie304 the My Journey BCNA book was brilliant for questions to ask -esp as things moved fast , I was in shock a lot of the time and also there were things I hadn’t thought of.
Janie304
Member
8 years ago
Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences. Once I know what the recommendation is for treatment I can call BUPA to ask what is available and work from there. Does anyone have any suggestions for questions to ask when I return to the BreastScreen clinic on Monday?
Sister
Member
8 years ago
Everyone has put the 5c in so I will, too! I had full private health cover (but was considering dropping it due to the expense. I went private for surgeon and both ops. My surgeon was understanding about the gap as were his anaesthetists so I paid almost nothing. The hospital was private and I paid $50 per day for 5 days. I'm now doing chemo through a private clinic. There was a gap for the initial consultation with the oncologist - treatment is considered in-patient day surgery so is fully covered. I will have radiation through the public hospital as the health fund covers little if any of this.
Also check with your health fund about any prostethics or bras they may cover. You get $400 every 2 years from Medicare for each prosthetic.
Your health fund may also cover things such as exercise rehab programs and specialist physio. Also check out GP Health Care Plans for psychological counselling.
Lvlw
Member
8 years ago
hi @Janie304

i'm also originally from the UK and when i was diagnosed in november was similarly at a loss about the difference between public and private!

Bupa is our private healthcare fund and they were great. we called them up (several times!!) and they explained the difference and how it all works. they seemed to particularly understand how the Aus system differed from the UK, and so explained it really well. i also found the finance booklet from the cancer council very useful (let me know if you'd like me to dig out more details about this).

coming from the UK it can seem odd at first to ask how much services and treatments cost, but I have found that all the medical secretaries and reception staff really helpful :smile:

good luck navigating it all! i'm happy to answer anything directly if you think i can help.

lvlw
xxx

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Anyone have advice for me on options for surgery? Newly arrived in Australia

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