THERE’S a fear that goes through a person when they are told they have cancer.
A cancer diagnosis affects not only an individual, but also family and friends.
They may feel scared, uncertain, or angry about the unwanted changes cancer will bring to their life and the lives of their loved ones.
They may feel numb or confused.
They may have trouble listening to, understanding or remembering what people tell them during this time.
On top of this is the overwhelming complexity of the treatments available to them.
This will include any combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, biological therapy, and experimental therapies.
As well as directed cancer treatments there is psychological and nutritional support, and exercise programs that all improve overall outcomes.
All cancer patients deserve this multidisciplinary approach.
Multidisciplinary cancer care (MCC) is an integrated team approach to health care in which medical and allied health care professionals consider all relevant treatment options and collaboratively develop an individual treatment and care plan for each patient, taking into account the personal preferences of the patient.
The Cancer Council estimates that 1164 people will be diagnosed with cancer this year in Casey/Cardinia.
This figure will rise substantially in the next 10 years, as the incidence of cancer is rising by 5 per cent per year in Australia and the population of Casey/Cardinia will rise by an estimated 41 per cent by 2021.
It is now estimated that one-in-two people born after 1960 will develop cancer.
Until recently, cancer patients from the area had to travel significant distances for chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The burden of excessive travel puts significant unnecessary strain on patients and their carers, given that treatment is often given cyclically for months and causes significant side-effects.
Fortunately for local residents, the Berwick Specialist Centre is now open and providing care for patients closer to home.
There is an undeniable healthcare need for cancer services in Casey/Cardinia, and it is this need that has led to an exciting collaboration between St John of God, Radiation Oncology Victoria (ROV) and six oncologists including Oncology Clinics Victoria (OCV) to provide comprehensive cancer services at the 55 Kangan Drive site.
As of 18 March, day chemotherapy services are being provided by St John of God, ambulatory radiation therapy by ROV which opened in February and Imaging will be provided by MIA.
Medical oncology will be provided by a team of six oncologists and dietetics, exercise physiology, and psycho-oncology services provided by OCV.
Oliver Klein and Esther Lin are two of the oncologists who work with the OCV team. Appointments can be made by ringing 1300 300 977 and further information can be obtained from www.ocv.net.au.
