Professor Christobel Saunders, Surgeon (Chair), Royal Perth Hospital, Fiona Stanley Hospital, The University of Western Australia Associate Professor Boon Chua, Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Associate Professor Jacquie Chirgwin, Medical Oncologist, Box Hill Hospital; Director, ANZ Breast Cancer Trials Group Ms Linda Cicciarelli, Genetic Counsellor, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Dr Adrian Dabscheck, Palliative Care…

Professor Christobel Saunders (Chair), Surgeon, Royal Perth Hospital, Fiona Stanley Hospital, St John of God Subiaco Hospital; Professor Surgical Oncology, The University of Western Australia; Chair, PathWest Laboratory Medicine Professor Fran Boyle, Medical Oncologist, Mater Hospital Dr Adrian Dabscheck, Palliative Care Physician, Western Health Dr Bianca Devitt, Medical Oncologist, Eastern Health Miss Gillian Farrell, Plastic…

A diagnosis of cancer may present additional challenges to people who have pre-existing chronic mental health or psychiatric concerns, resulting in exacerbation of their mental health symptoms. This may include heightened anxiety, worsening depression or thoughts of self-harm. As poor adjustment and coping can affect treatment decisions, people who are known to have a mental…

In general, people from lower socioeconomic groups are at greater risk of poor health, have higher rates of illness, disability and death, and live shorter lives than those from higher socioeconomic groups (AIHW 2016). People experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage are less likely to participate in screening programs, more likely to be obese, less likely to exercise…

People who identify as sexually or gender diverse may have unique needs following a cancer diagnosis. Sexually or gender diverse identities include (but are not limited to) people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, collectively ‘LGBT’. There is no universally agreed upon initialism to describe this community, with other terms such as queer/questioning…

In 2020, the estimated number of men diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia is 167 (Cancer Australia 2019d). While breast cancer is uncommon in males, it is important for men who find changes in their breasts to see their doctor without delay. Given the low number of diagnoses and the identification of breast cancer in…

Responsibility for follow-up care should be agreed between the lead clinician, the general practitioner, relevant members of the multidisciplinary team and the patient. This is based on guideline recommendations for post-treatment care, as well as the patient’s current and anticipated physical and emotional needs and preferences. The options for follow-up should encompass the following: A…

If there is an indication that a patient’s cancer has returned, care should be provided under the guidance of a treating specialist. Each patient should be evaluated to determine if referral to the original multidisciplinary team is necessary. Often referral back to the original multidisciplinary team will not be necessary unless there are obvious aspects…

If the treatment team does not include a palliative care member, the lead clinician should consider referring the patient to palliative care services, with the general practitioner’s engagement. This may include inpatient palliative unit access (as required). The multidisciplinary team may consider seeking additional expertise from these professionals: clinical psychologist clinical nurse specialist or practitioner…

Treatment will depend on the location, extent of recurrent disease, previous management and the patient’s preferences and may include all modalities of therapies (surgery, radiation therapy and systemic therapy). Antiresorptive therapy may be warranted if bone metastases are present. In most cases, a combination of anti-cancer and supportive therapies will provide the most effective overall…