Forum Discussion

desinha's avatar
desinha
Member
8 years ago

Breast Cancer Treatment Centres in Melbourne

Which are the good Breast Cancer Centres in Melbourne? I know Peter Mac is most famous however does it live up to its fame?

Also I believe Peter Mac is good for people having access to Medicare. Has anyone without Medicare coverage (having Private health cover) got the treatment done at Peter Mac? How was the experience?

Which other hospitals / centres (besides Peter Mac) in Melbourne would you recommend based on your experience?

10 Replies

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    8 years ago
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • desinha's avatar
    desinha
    Member
    8 years ago
    I was diagnosed with Metaplastic Triple Negative Breast Cancer which is rare as well as very aggressive type of cancer. I has initial surgery (Lumpectomy) and I am currently undergoing Chemotherapy (AC-T) treatment. My genetic test result is due in Mid-Feb after which the oncologist will advise further course of action. Although the tumour was removed by the breast surgeon during Lumpectomy, the MRI scan later revealed suspicious region of residual focal DCIS. As Metaplastic cancer is very aggressive and has high recurrence rates, hence I am exploring all options to minimise the risk. While I do trust my doctor, I also want to keep my eyes and ears open and listen to what world around me has to say. :) Not intending to get confused with varied opinions as my family is mature enough to make sensible decisions :)
  • adean's avatar
    adean
    Member
    8 years ago
    I used peter mac epwortth as a public patient. I had surgery at cabrini as a private patient.my surgeon jenny senior suggested box hill as public because my out of pocket as a private patient would have been extremely high. I cannot praise box hill enough. Im 6 years post.
  • desinha's avatar
    desinha
    Member
    8 years ago
    Afraser said:
    Cliveden is in East Melbourne so is the part of Epworth Freemasons I attended. Where you go depends to some extent on where you live or work ( ie what's most convenient) and where your surgeon and oncologist consult. I can't compare one to another especially as I have never used Peter Mac.

    Having been diagnosed, have you had any referral? If you have been referred to a surgeon, perhaps start there. My surgeon recommended my oncologist, they work together regularly. I liked that as it augured well for a team approach but others may have wanted something different. East Melbourne suited me as I work near there, but if treatment had made me unable to work ( it didn't) I might have made changes. Same thing applies to surgeon or oncologist. If you are planning reconstruction, you may have different criteria. I am sure my surgeon is good at reconstruction but I chose not to, so have no first hand experience. I had a mastectomy, a lumpectomy wasn't really an option and chemo/herceptin/hormonal therapy and no radiation.

    Many people on this site say that the most important thing is to like and trust your team. You will know more once you meet and talk to people - if you don't feel comfortable you can always change.
    Thanks. East Melbourne as a location suits me. In fact I had my initial surgery (Lumpectomy) at Epworth Freemasons and I am currently undergoing Chemotherapy at Epworth Richmond hospital.  I do trust my team (Oncologist and Breast Surgeon) however I don't want to take any chances as I am diagnosed with Triple Negative very aggressive cancer !!
  • Jen001's avatar
    Jen001
    Member
    8 years ago
    I've been treated through Western Private for chemo and Genesis for radiation (both in the same building).   My care team was recommended by the specialist/surgeon.    The oncologist was supportive of both private or public for oncology and said the treatment would be the same at either, it was just less time waiting on treatment days in the private system.   I did use Peter Mac for the genetics testing and although staff were very caring, it was a very long day of waiting and an extremely busy place.    For me the private system close to home has been beneficial for continuing to work, as I was able to schedule all treatments for first appointment in the morning and been in and out in the shortest possible time.  I've never had to wait for an oncology chair or a radiation appointment.  My doctors also saw me during treatment and this meant I didn't have to schedule separate appointments or wait around for them.   I am also very comfortable with my care team, which I think is very important.  


  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    8 years ago
    @"deepti.sinha" 

    Hi!  Not sure where you are at with treatment and or plan of treatment.  Your post suggests very early.  Sorry you've had to join us! Some are starting out, some are counting down to the conclusion of treatment et cetera

    When diagnosed you would've been referred to someone?  For me it wasn't about what centre for treatment and or private or public it was about who my surgeon is. They all have certain facilities that they operate from and a team that they work with.  

    For me personally it's about trust in the team not where they operate from

    Good luck with your treatment - please let us know what your circumstance is; type of cancer and the recommended surgery and or treatment and maybe we can offer more direct advice.

    Take care
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    8 years ago
    Cliveden is in East Melbourne so is the part of Epworth Freemasons I attended. Where you go depends to some extent on where you live or work ( ie what's most convenient) and where your surgeon and oncologist consult. I can't compare one to another especially as I have never used Peter Mac.

    Having been diagnosed, have you had any referral? If you have been referred to a surgeon, perhaps start there. My surgeon recommended my oncologist, they work together regularly. I liked that as it augured well for a team approach but others may have wanted something different. East Melbourne suited me as I work near there, but if treatment had made me unable to work ( it didn't) I might have made changes. Same thing applies to surgeon or oncologist. If you are planning reconstruction, you may have different criteria. I am sure my surgeon is good at reconstruction but I chose not to, so have no first hand experience. I had a mastectomy, a lumpectomy wasn't really an option and chemo/herceptin/hormonal therapy and no radiation.

    Many people on this site say that the most important thing is to like and trust your team. You will know more once you meet and talk to people - if you don't feel comfortable you can always change. 
  • Tm's avatar
    Tm
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hello
    like many people , I did a combination of private and public. 
    Private - Cabrini hospital with surgeon and private oncologist. Then Peter Mac Moorabbin for radiotherapy. 
    All good experiences under the circumstances. 
    Just depends on distance from home, how quickly you want to have surgery etc . 
    Jenny Senior is my surgeon and I rate her highly for expertise and the way she treats the person. 

  • desinha's avatar
    desinha
    Member
    8 years ago
    Afraser said:
    Like most things with BC, this is variable - it depends on what treatment you have, what your needs are, what your personal circumstances are and what level of personal interaction suits you best. So it's a bit hard to say. I was referred to an oncologist (who I was very happy to stay with) whose consulting rooms were at the Epworth, so I had all my day oncology treatment there, which was convenient and I had private cover. I found the staff terrific. It was a fairly busy centre so sometimes treatment took longer than planned, but that can happen anywhere. I saw my oncologist before every treatment and (rarely required) he was often available to see me during treatment. For surgery I went to Cliveden (also part of Epworth) which apart from one occasion with a shared room with a very difficult patient (I was moved finally) was excellent.


    Thanks Afraser. I do understand your point.

    So overall you feel services at Epworth were at par with renowned hospitals like Peter Mac? Which Epworth facility (Richmond) did you go for Chemo sessions?

    Who was your oncologist and who was the breast surgeon? Would you recommend your surgeon as well?

    Did you go for Radiation as well post surgery?

  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    8 years ago
    Like most things with BC, this is variable - it depends on what treatment you have, what your needs are, what your personal circumstances are and what level of personal interaction suits you best. So it's a bit hard to say. I was referred to an oncologist (who I was very happy to stay with) whose consulting rooms were at the Epworth, so I had all my day oncology treatment there, which was convenient and I had private cover. I found the staff terrific. It was a fairly busy centre so sometimes treatment took longer than planned, but that can happen anywhere. I saw my oncologist before every treatment and (rarely required) he was often available to see me during treatment. For surgery I went to Cliveden (also part of Epworth) which apart from one occasion with a shared room with a very difficult patient (I was moved finally) was excellent.