Initial Breast Oncology Appointment

What Is a Breast Oncology Appointment?

The purpose of this appointment is to discuss treatment recommendations to reduce the risk of a breast cancer recurrence elsewhere in the body.

Breast Oncology Assessment?

The initial assessment by the oncologist includes:
  • A review of your general medical health;
  • Tumour characteristics;
  • Risk assessment of cancer recurrence;
  • Your wishes and preferences in terms of treatment.
This can be quite a full discussion and it is recommended you bring someone along as a “second pair of ears”. 
Feel free to take notes during the consultation and be prepared with lots of questions.

If you do not want the oncologist to talk about the statistical risk of your breast cancer recurring, you are able to make this very clear to the oncologist, and your wishes will be respected.

Oncology Treatments

 Breast Cancer oncology treatment may include:
These treatments treat the whole body.

Do not feel compelled to make any decision at this first consultation. There is time before any treatment needs to be commenced.

Oncology Treatment Plan

The treatment plan will be specifically tailored to you and for your tumour. Any recommended treatment will be explained in full and any potential side effects discussed. 

This may be overwhelming but is necessary for informed decision making. 
Response and side effects of treatment can vary from patient to patient.

Clinical Trials

We are very supportive of any clinical trials of a treatment that may be beneficial for your consideration, and this can be part of the discussion. Remember, this is an initial consultation for assessment and to provide information. 

Risks of Breast Cancer Recurrence

You are likely to get more out of the initial consultation with an oncologist if you have an understanding of what will be assessed and discussed at the appointment. 

Once your breast cancer surgery is completed, it is believed that there is no evidence of residual cancer.

If there is no further treatment after surgery, a small percentage of patients do have a breast cancer recurrence, and we do not necessarily find it easy to predict which tumours will recur. 

Further treatment is therefore offered to every patient to reduce this potential risk.

For any further information feel free to contact us on (03) 9419 1166 or via email breastunit@breastunit.com.au
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