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Breast Cancer and #COVID-19 #Coronavirus

Cancer Specialists > Blog > Breast Cancer > Breast Cancer and #COVID-19 #Coronavirus

Breast Cancer and #COVID-19 #Coronavirus

By: Cancer Specialists | April 14, 2020 | Tags: #breastscreeningvictoria, #cancerspecialists, #stayathome, #Bestcare, #surveillance, wearecancerspecialists, pandemic, #Category1surgery, #Category2surgery, #cancersurgery, cancer, #DCIS, breastcancer, #breastcheck, #COVID-19, #selfexamination, #Coronavirus

Staying at home has become the new norm. Hand hygiene is critical. And our electronic devices have become vital links to the outside world. 

But despite these changes, breast cancer is still common and people will continue to be diagnosed with breast cancer and need treatment and ongoing follow-up.

Here’s a few ways we are modifying strategies at CANCER SPECIALISTS in order to treat and monitor breast cancer in the safest possible way:

SCREENING – Breast Screen Victoria is temporarily closed to protect clients and staff and we would also recommend that routine screening be postponed.

SURVEILLANCE – Traditional follow-up consists of a mammogram yearly and a clinical check. In most women the chance of an abnormality on these mammograms is less than 0.5%. If you are over 70, or have significant medical problems, or are immune-compromised then you are probably self isolating at home.  In this case it is probably more risky to go out and have a mammogram as you will increase your chance of getting Covid-19. The chance of recurrence (something turning up on the mammogram) is influenced by the nature of your original breast cancer – your surgeon will be able to advise if you are in a lower or higher risk category, and this will help determine if you can delay your mammogram. 

SYMPTOMS  Although we suggest that routine mammograms can be delayed, we suggest that you continue to be aware of your breasts (you’ll have plenty of time while you’re at home!) and if you find a lump, have nipple discharge, notice a change in your breast etc then you should get this checked out. Most breast surgeons are offering telehealth appointments and this could be arranged in order to determine the best imaging to perform. You may still need a face-to-face consult, and this can be done safely now that most other consults are happening via telehealth.

At CANCER SPECIALISTS, we are averaging about 5 face to face consults per day, across 2 locations, so we can ensure that you are alone in the (regularly cleaned!) waiting room.

DCIS – Ductal Carcinoma In Situ is also known as pre-cancer and often the surgery for this is classified as Category 2. Currently we are still dong some category 2 surgeries however this is likely to change in the next few months. But we know that we can wait a few months before operating on DCIS, and we can use some tablets (endocrine therapy) in order to make sure it doesn’t change while we wait. There are some types of DCIS that require more urgent surgery, this is called High Grade and occurs more in younger women. In this case, it would be category 1, and we would proceed with surgery.

CANCER – Breast cancer is common but there are many types and treatment strategies can vary depending on the type of cancer and the patients. Surgery for breast cancer is Category 1 and this is still being performed in both public and private hospitals. Where possible we will be trying to do the smallest, safest procedure and often this can be done as day case surgery. However it may be better to treat the cancer with tablets first (endocrine therapy), or chemotherapy  – in selected instances only.

At CANCER SPECIALISTS we are all about providing the best care, and in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, that means providing the best care to each and every patient based on individual patient circumstances. 

 

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Contact

CONTACT DETAILS

Phone (03) 9421 6425
Fax (03) 9421 6372
Email info@cancerspecialists.com.au
Post 1/84 Bridge Rd, Richmond VIC 3121

Richmond Practice
Level 1, 84 Bridge Rd,
Richmond VIC 3121

North Melbourne Practice
Ground Level, 23 Oxford St,
North Melbourne VIC 3051

Richmond

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North Melbourne

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RICHMOND

Public Transport

Public transport is easily accessible as we are right on the 48 and 75 tram lines. The stop is 15 – Epworth Hospital/Bridge Road. The closest train stations are West Richmond and Richmond, we are only a short walk from either station.

Parking

Parking is also available (subject to availability) at the rear of the building. This can be accessed via Verity Street from Bridge Road. There is free 2 hour parking in the surrounding back streets of Rotherwood Street and Sherwood Street. Bridge Road parking is available at a cost, please pay attention to the Clearway times.

NORTH MELBOURNE

Public Transport

Tram No 58 (North Coburg)
Tram No 59 (West Coburg)
Bus No 401,  (Airport West)

For more Public Transport information, please contact Public Transport Victoria on 1800 800 007 or visit www.ptv.vic.gov.au

Parking

We do not have parking on site, however, there is some street parking available on Courtney Street, between Wreckyn Street and Bedford Street. Metered street parking is available on Wreckyn Street and Blackwood Street. Alternatively, you can try parking at any of the nearby hospitals.


 

 
AFTER HOURS CARE

For urgent after hours care our affiliated specialists can be contacted on (03) 9421 6425 via the Cancer Specialists personalised after hours phone service. For all emergency care Epworth Richmond Emergency Department is open 24 hours.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

For information on public transport visit
Public Transport Victoria.

APPOINTMENTS

All appointments can be arranged by calling (03) 9421 6425, Monday to Friday (except Public Holidays) between 9:00am to 5:30pm or by email.

TO CANCEL AN APPOINTMENT

Please call on (03) 9421 6425 during office hours and let us know at least 24 hours in advance so we can give that time to another patient.

We understand that your time is valuable, and we make every effort to run on time; however, emergencies occur that cause schedule delays. We apologise in advance if we keep you waiting.

When you come to your appointment remember to bring the following:

  • Medicare or DVA (veteran affairs) card
  • A referral from your General Practitioner or specialist
  • All pertinent x-ray scans, reports and test results from your General Practitioner or referring physician
  • A list of all medications that you are currently taking
  • A list of any known drug allergies and the symptoms you may have from taking these medicines
  • If you have had surgery elsewhere, please bring a copy of your operation report

Patients requiring surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other interventions may be managed in the following locations:


EPWORTH HEALTHCARE – RICHMOND

89 Bridge Road, Richmond VIC 3121
Phone (03) 9426 6666
Fax (03) 9427 0353
www.epworth.org.au


EPWORTH HEALTHCARE – FREEMASONS

166 Clarendon Street, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Phone (03) 9483 3833
Fax (03) 9419 6018
www.epworth.org.au


EPWORTH HEALTHCARE – EPWORTH FREEMASONS DAY PROCEDURE UNIT

320 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Phone (03) 9418 8178
Fax (03) 9418 8108
www.epworth.org.au


ST VINCENTS PRIVATE HOSPITAL – EAST MELBOURNE

159 Grey Street, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Phone (03) 9928 6555
Fax (03) 9928 6444
www.svpm.com.au


ROYAL MELBOURNE HOSPITAL

Grattan Street, Parkville VIC 3052
Phone (03) 9342 7000
Fax (03) 9342 7802
www.rmh.mh.org.au


PETER MACCALLUM CANCER CENTRE

305 Grattan Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone (03) 9656 1111
Fax (03) 9656 1400
www.petermac.org

Our Cancer Specialists are co-located with the state-of-the-art Bridge Road Imaging centre in Richmond, offering unparalleled and convenient access to all imaging modalities including CT, MRI, ultrasound and PET/CT.


LUMUS IMAGING

www.bridgeroadimaging.com.au


TISSUPATH

www.tissupath.com.au


ANATPATH

www.anatpath.com.au


MELBOURNE PATHOLOGY

www.mps.com.au


DOREVITCH PATHOLOGY

www.dorevitch.com.au


MIA VICTORIA

www.miavictoria.com.au


MDI RADIOLOGY

www.mdi.net.au


HEALTHSCOPE PATHOLOGY

www.healthscopepathology.com.au

 
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