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:
| Treatment | Cost (AUD) |
| External beam radiation therapy | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Brachytherapy | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| Proton therapy | $20,000 – $40,000 |
Chemotherapy:
| 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 this condition that get a bit touchy with hormones, we bring in hormone therapy. This method can either stop the production of those hormones that fuel it or mess with the process, making it harder for the cells to use them.
| 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 health issues, called targeted therapy. Instead of going all out with the usual treatment methods, these drugs go straight for the trouble-causing molecules. They’re like sharpshooters – more effective and cause fewer hassles compared to the old-school treatments.
| 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 journey can feel like a bit of a marathon, and let’s face it, it’s no easy stroll. But, mate, you’re not in it alone. You’ve got a team of experts behind you, supporting you every step of the way.
It all kicks off with a chat with a specialist. They’ll explain your diagnosis, have a good natter about it, and work out a treatment plan tailored just for you.
Your plan could include a mix of surgery, radiation, a bit of chemo, hormone therapy, and possibly some targeted treatments. The exact combination depends on the stage and type, and how you’re going overall.
As you go through treatment, your healthcare team will keep an eye on things, checking your progress and adjusting the plan if needed. Just remember, you’re not flying solo in this.
Support services
Some of the support services available in Australia include:
Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA): BCNA is like our national go-to team, a charity offering support to folks going through treatment. They’ve got your back with a helpline, counsellors, support groups, and loads of helpful online resources.
Cancer Council Australia: These legends at the Council are the real deal when it comes to support. They provide heaps of valuable info and resources to help those going through treatment, offering a helping hand to both patients and their families.
Look Good Feel Better: Trying to feel a bit better while managing treatment? That’s what Look Good Feel Better is all about. They’ve got a fantastic free program that helps both men and women tackle the appearance-related challenges that come with treatment.
Reach to Recovery: Think of Reach to Recovery as your personal support buddy. It’s a volunteer-based service providing emotional support to women navigating their treatment journey.
Inspiring Stories
There’s no shortage of inspiring tales from the breast cancer journey, filled with courage, resilience, and mateship. Take a look at some top-notch examples:
Sarah’s Journey in New South Wales: Sarah, living it up in Sydney, got hit with a diagnosis early on. With her crew rallying behind her and the incredible care at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, she powered through her treatment. Now, she’s out there spreading awareness and handing out hope like confetti.
Liam’s Triumph in Victoria: Liam, a farmer from the outback of Victoria, found himself facing a tough battle. With the help of the Andrew Love Cancer Centre in Geelong and his local support network, he made it through the challenges of treatment. Now, he’s back to working the land and lending a hand to others going through the same experience.
Emily’s Grit in Queensland: Emily, a mum of two from Brisbane, got hit with the news during her pregnancy. The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital made sure both mum and bub were looked after. Her journey is a testament to the incredible resilience it takes to face such a challenge head-on.
Daniel’s Victory in South Australia: Down in Adelaide, Daniel received top-notch care at the Flinders Medical Centre. His positive experience sparked a passion to volunteer at the Cancer Council SA, helping others as they navigate their own journeys.
Olivia’s Fight in Western Australia: Over in Perth, Olivia found strength at Fiona Stanley Hospital. With the support of Cancer Council Western Australia, she got the emotional and financial backing she needed. These days, Olivia’s all about promoting early detection and sharing her message with others.
Conclusion
Facing a diagnosis like this can really knock you about, but remember, there’s hope on the horizon. With all the progress in research, you’ve got treatment options in Australia that can truly make a difference.
