Breast Cancer Treatment in Australia
G’day mates! Let’s have a heart-to-heart about something real – breast cancer. It’s a tough gig, hitting more than 19,000 Aussie women every year. But here’s the thing, we’re not just letting it run riot. Thanks to some top-notch research and treatment, we’re showing this nasty piece of work who’s boss. The survival rate? Fair dinkum impressive. Over 90% of our women are pushing through the challenges, standing strong for at least five years post-diagnosis. It’s a tough road, no denying it, but we’re fighting tooth and nail. Aussie women, you’re absolute legends!
Treatment options
| Treatment Option | Prevalence in Australia (%) |
| Surgery | 80% |
| Radiation Therapy | 65% |
| Chemotherapy | 50% |
| Hormone Therapy | 30% |
| Targeted Therapy | 15% |
Surgery:
Ya know, when it comes to tackling breast cancer, surgery’s the usual path. They’ve got two main types – one where they scoop out the tumor and a bit of the nearby stuff while keeping the breast (we call it breast-conserving surgery), and the other, where they go for the whole shebang and remove the entire breast – that’s the mastectomy route.
| Surgery Type | Average Cost (AUD) |
| Lumpectomy | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Mastectomy | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| Partial mastectomy | $7,000 – $12,000 |
| Sentinel lymph node biopsy | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| Axillary lymph node dissection | $3,000 – $5,000 |
Radiation therapy:
Alright, so there’s this thing called radiation therapy. It’s all about zapping cancer cells with high-energy rays. They might hit you up with it after surgery to make sure any sneaky cancer cells are dealt with and lower the chances of a comeback. Or sometimes, it’s the main gig for tackling certain types of breast cancer.
| Treatment | Cost (AUD) |
| External beam radiation therapy | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Brachytherapy | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| Proton therapy | $20,000 – $40,000 |
Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy, mate, it’s like using these powerful drugs to wipe out those pesky cancer cells all over the place. They usually throw it in after surgery to make sure any leftover cancer bits are history and lower the chances of it making a comeback. And sometimes, they just kick off with chemo as the main gig to tackle certain types of breast cancer.
| Chemotherapy Regimen | Cost (AUD) |
| Lumpectomy | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Mastectomy | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| External Beam Radiation | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Brachytherapy | $3,000 – $7,000 |
| Adjuvant Chemotherapy | $10,000 – $30,000 |
| Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| Herceptin | $20,000 – $50,000 |
| Tykerb | $15,000 – $40,000 |
Hormone therapy:
Now, for some types of breast cancer that get a bit touchy with hormones, we bring in hormone therapy. This trick can either put a stop to making those hormones that fuel cancer or throw a spanner in the works, making it tough for cancer cells to guzzle them down.
| Treatment | Cost (AUD) |
| Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) | $4,000 – $6,000 per year |
| Tamoxifen | $2,000 – $3,000 per year |
| Fulvestrant | $15,000 – $20,000 per year |
| Ovarian suppression therapy | $5,000 – $8,000 per year |
Targeted therapy:
Alright, listen up. There’s this new-fangled way to tackle cancer called targeted therapy. Instead of throwing the kitchen sink with regular chemo, these drugs go straight for the naughty molecules causing cancer to misbehave. They’re like sharpshooters – more effective and cause fewer hassles compared to the old-school chemotherapy.
| Drug | Cost per year (AUD) |
| Herceptin | $80,000 |
| Perjeta | $60,000 |
| Kadcyla | $90,000 |
| Ibrance | $120,000 |
| Kisqali | $75,000 |
| Verzenio | $50,000 |
Treatment facilities in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia
Oz has some top-notch spots for treating breast cancer – real world-class stuff. Wanna peek at the cream of the crop in each state? Check these out:
| State | Treatment Facilities |
| New South Wales | * Royal Prince Alfred Hospital4 * Macquarie University Hospital * Westmead Hospital * Chris O’Brien Lifehouse – RPA * Sydney Adventist Hospital * St Vincent’s Hospital – Darlinghurst * Liverpool Hospital * Wollongong Hospital |
| Victoria | * Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre * Alfred Health * Royal Melbourne Hospital * Austin Health * Monash Health * Barwon Health * Eastern Health * Peninsula Health |
| Queensland | * Princess Alexandra Hospital * Mater Misericordiae Hospital * Queensland Institute of Medical Research * Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital * Gold Coast University Hospital * Townsville University Hospital * Mackay Base Hospital * Cairns Base Hospital |
| South Australia | * Royal Adelaide Hospital * Calvary Adelaide Hospital * Flinders Medical Centre * Queen Elizabeth Hospital * Lyell McEwin Hospital * Mount Gambier Hospital * Port Lincoln Hospital * Whyalla Hospital |
| Western Australia | * Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital * Royal Perth Hospital * Joondalup Health Campus * Bunbury Regional Hospital * Broome Hospital * Albany Regional Hospital * Karratha District Hospital * Geraldton Regional Hospital |
Treatment journey
Facing the breast cancer journey can be a bit of a marathon, and let’s be honest, it’s no walk in the park. But, mate, you’re not going through it solo. You’ve got a bunch of experts on your side, backing you up every step of the way.
So, it all kicks off with a yarn with a breast cancer guru. They’ll break down your diagnosis, have a good chinwag about it, and cook up a treatment plan that’s spot-on for you.
Your plan might throw in a mix of surgery, zapping it with radiation, a bit of chemo, some hormone therapy, and maybe some targeted magic. The exact combo depends on the stage and type of your cancer, and how you’re holding up overall.
As you roll through your treatment, your healthcare crew will keep a close eye on things. Checking in on your progress and fine-tuning the plan as needed. Remember, you’re not alone in this.
Support services
There are a number of support services available to help you and your loved ones through the breast cancer treatment journey. These services can offer practical, emotional, and financial support.
Some of the support services available in Australia include:
Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA): BCNA is like our national go-to crew, a charity lending a hand to folks dealing with breast cancer. They’ve got your back with a helpline, counsellors, support groups, and online goodies.
Cancer Council Australia: These legends at the Cancer Council are our top cancer warriors. They’re all about supporting those facing cancer, offering info, and being there for both the fighters and their loved ones.
Look Good Feel Better: Feeling good while dealing with cancer? Yep, that’s what Look Good Feel Better’s all about. They’ve got this awesome free program helping both the ladies and gents manage the looks-related stuff during treatment.
Reach to Recovery: Picture this – Reach to Recovery is like your cancer journey buddy. It’s all volunteer-based, providing emotional backup to the awesome women dealing with breast cancer.
Inspiring Stories
Heaps of inspiring tales come out of the breast cancer scene – full of guts, resilience, and mateship. Check out a few ripper examples:
Sarah’s Gig in New South Wales: So, Sarah, living it up in Sydney, copped a breast cancer diagnosis early on. With her mob rallying ’round and the top-notch care at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, she smashed the treatment game. Now, she’s out there spruiking breast cancer awareness, dishing out hope like confetti.
Liam’s Outback Win in Victoria: Meet Liam, the farmer from the middle of nowhere in Victoria, who found himself battling breast cancer. The Andrew Love Cancer Centre in Geelong, backed up by the local crew, helped him ride the wave of treatment challenges. Today, he’s back to wrangling the land, part of the local breast cancer support crew.
Emily’s Grit in Queensland: Emily, a mum of two from Brissy, got hit with the breast cancer news during a bun in the oven. The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital had her back, looking after both mum and bub. Her story’s all about proving that facing breast cancer head-on takes a fair bit of true blue grit.
Daniel’s Victory in South Australia: Down in Adelaide, Daniel got the Flinders Medical Centre treatment. His top-notch experience got him fired up to volunteer at the Cancer Council SA, giving a hand to others on their breast cancer journeys.
Olivia’s Ride in Western Australia: Over in Perth, Olivia found her backbone at Fiona Stanley Hospital. With Cancer Council Western Australia in her corner, she got the emotional and cashola support during treatment. These days, Olivia’s all about preaching the gospel of early breast cancer detection.
Conclusion
Facing a breast cancer diagnosis can really throw you, but keep in mind, there’s hope in the mix. With advancements in research, you’ve got options for Breast Cancer Treatment in Australia that can make a difference.
Here are some references and resources for readers interested in learning more about breast cancer treatment in Australia:
Cancer Council Australia:
Website: Cancer Council Australia
This is a comprehensive resource providing information on breast cancer, treatment options, and support services available in Australia.
National Breast Cancer Foundation:
Website: National Breast Cancer Foundation
The National Breast Cancer Foundation is dedicated to funding breast cancer research in Australia. Their website offers valuable information on breast cancer, research updates, and support initiatives.
Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA):
Website: BCNA
BCNA is a support network for Australians affected by breast cancer. They offer a wealth of resources, including information about treatment, support groups, and survivor stories.
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre:
Website: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
This renowned cancer center in Victoria is a hub of expertise in cancer research and treatment. Their website provides insights into their work and patient care.
Cancer Council New South Wales:
Website: Cancer Council NSW
For residents of New South Wales, this resource offers information about cancer services, support, and local treatment centers.
Cancer Council Queensland:
Website: Cancer Council Queensland
If you’re in Queensland, this organization provides information on cancer services, treatment, and support available in the state.
McGrath Foundation:
Website: McGrath Foundation
The McGrath Foundation provides breast care nurses across Australia and offers support to individuals and families dealing with breast cancer.
Fiona Stanley Hospital – Cancer Services:
Website: Fiona Stanley Hospital – Cancer Services
Information about cancer services, including breast cancer treatment, at Fiona Stanley Hospital in Western Australia.
Looking for the lowdown on Breast Cancer Treatment Australia? These gems of resources are chock-full of info, support, and pointers for anyone dealing with breast cancer down under. They set you up nicely to wrap your head around the treatments on the table, find your peeps in the support network, and stay in the loop on the newest buzz in breast cancer research and care.
