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Clara
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Joined 8 years ago
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Re: Anyone have advice for me on options for surgery? Newly arrived in Australia
Brenda5 said: HiClara, in regards to hormone therapy there is probably no reason why your doctor can't do a longer script for you to take with you. I know I used to have troubles in my small town getting my brand in every month so my doctor fixed that by writing 60 on my script. Perhaps yours could put 300 or something? It's a thought. Hi @Brenda5, yes that's a good idea. I can have tablets for 3 months and bring them from Sweden when I move, but I cannot do the same for the ovarian suppression injections since they need to be done by a nurse/GP every 4 weeks. I also need to figure out the costs of MRI, control visits, etc. I'm slowly gathering these info so hopefully I'll be able to move in september knowing which hospital to go to5Views0likes0CommentsRe: Anyone have advice for me on options for surgery? Newly arrived in Australia
Hi @Janie304, I'm living in Sweden so I was diagnosed and treated there: the system is 100% public and very efficient so the biopsy took long but then I saw the surgeon 1 week after the results and had the surgery the same day. But I know it's usually longer. Do you know how long you would need to wait with the public way? Maybe you could start the process there and in case it's taking too long, switch to the private system (usually faster I believe?) so you have time to figure out costs and you'll know if it's worth it timewise. All the best3Views0likes0CommentsRe: How to continue my ongoing oncology care in SYDNEY??
Thanks a lot for the tips and information! I will try to go as a public patient in the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (in the long term) and I'll look for a private hospital (recommendations are welcome ::smile: ) to start with as soon as I arrive in Sydney, to avoid interruptions in my Zoladex treatment (every 4 weeks). I contacted hospitals and tried to know the costs (as a private patient, in case I cannot be a public patient), I received only one answer: - chest MRI €550 - mammogram +ultrasound $600 - oncology consultation $340 then $160/visit (but I don't know how often I will have to go...) I hope this is correct so I can plan accordingly. The last info I would need is how to get the Zoladex injection and how much it costs (I assume that the GP will be able to do it or to refer me to a nurse without a long waiting time) Thanks again for your help! And feel free to message me directly if you have any recommendations of hospitals/oncologists in Sydney6Views0likes0CommentsRe: Anyone have advice for me on options for surgery? Newly arrived in Australia
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!3Views1like0CommentsRe: How to continue my ongoing oncology care in SYDNEY??
Thanks a lot for your answers and advice! I understand a bit more of the Australian health care system now. I got contradictory information about Medicare today so I'm actually not sure if I will be able to access the public system. That's why I'm trying to estimate the full costs of everything without any public or private subsidies (because no private insurance will cover me during the 1st year due to preexisting condition..). If we can afford these costs, we will happily move in September! Here are the full costs (without Medicare, nor private insurance) that I found: - GP consultation up to $85 (thanks @Zoffiel !): GP may directly prescribe Letrozole+Zoladex and give me a referral to an oncologist. I will bring a copy of my medical records in English to hopefully speed up the process (thanks @Romla). - Nurse consultation to inject Zoladex 1/month and blood test (to check FSH & LSH levels). @kmakm maybe you know about these 2 costs? - Oncologist consultation: I have read $200-350 but that sounds insanely expensive (at least for my European-free-health-care mind talking here! ::wink: ), is it correct? How long is the waiting time for that cost? - chest MRI: I was told $350-550 out of pocket but what is the full cost if I don't have Medicare? - mammogram: $100 out of pocket. What is the full cost without Medicare? - chest ultrasound (complementary to mammogram, necessary at my age): cost? I know that costs are very different from clinics to clinics but I just need to know average costs in the private system (I guess I cannot access public hospitals if I don't have Medicare) based on your experience. @Annski I sent you a message, thanks for your recommendation in Sydney! We will probably live in the Inner West. Looking forward to your answers, thanks again for your support!! I really hope I manage to get the cost information needed to make this life project come true :) I studied in Melbourne 10 years ago and I really loved the aussie people/atmosphere so I cannot wait to be back!1View0likes0CommentsHow to continue my ongoing oncology care in SYDNEY??
Hi! I was diagnosed and treated for early stage breast cancer (DCIS grade 1, ER+ PR+) at 29 y/o, a few months ago, in Sweden where I work. I had planned to move to Sydney in September (my husband got a job there) but before doing so, I need to make sure that I can properly continue my endocrine treatment in Sydney: 1) Anyone knows what is the fastest/cheapest way to get my Letrozole prescription +injections of Zoladex (Goserelin) every 4 weeks? I need to make sure that I can get the injections on time once I moved to Australia. I found the cost of both medicines on PBS website but what is the cost of the doctors appointments (to prescribe and to inject Zoladex)? 2) Is it also required to do a blood test (to check hormon levels) every months when you take Zoladex? Note: I am not Australian but I will get the yellow Medicare card (due to a health agreement between Australia and Sweden). Thanks in advance for your help!! I hope I will be able to relocate to Sydney and live my life as before... :smile:
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Young women & breast cancer
This group is for young women affected by breast cancer. In the context of breast cancer treatment, ‘young’ usually refers to women who are pre-menopausal. Here, you can connect with others who understand the unique challenges that come with a diagnosis at a younger age. We talk about things like fertility, pregnancy, early menopause, ovarian suppression, relationships, and the emotional impact of treatment and recovery. Whether you're newly diagnosed or further along in your journey, this is a safe space to ask questions, share experiences, and support one another. You are not alone during this uncertain and overwhelming time.
