FAQ's

General

How do I schedule an appointment?

You can schedule an appointment by calling us directly during our working hours.

If you wish to be advised on the most appropriate treatment, please call the to schedule an appointment or click to request an appointment online.

Are my medical records kept private and confidential?

Your medical file is handled with the utmost respect for your privacy. Our staff is bound by strict confidentiality requirements as a condition of employment regarding your medical records. Ordinarily we will not release the contents of your medical file without your consent.

What should I bring with me when I come for an appointment?

When you come for your Appointments, please remember to bring the following

• Referral letter from GP, family physician or other doctor
• Medicare card, DVA card, pension card
• Have your private hospital insurance information with you
• Reports, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans etc. and any other relevant information

Medical

What is mastectomy?

Mastectomy is the surgical treatment for breast cancer, and involves the complete removal of the breast. You may be suggested one of the 5 types of mastectomy, depending on your individual conditions. These may include:

• Simple or total mastectomy: removal of entire breast tissue
• Partial mastectomy/ Breast Conserving Surgery: removal of only the cancerous region along with a surrounding margin of healthy tissue
• Subcutaneous (nipple-sparing) mastectomy: removal of entire breast tissue except the nipple
• Therapeutic Mammaplasty: For patients with cup size >C, to remove the tumour using breast reduction techniques

Am I candidate for mastectomy?

In general you are a candidate for mastectomy if:

• Tumour is larger than 5 cm
• Breasts are small
• Previous attempts with partial mastectomy have failed
• Not a good candidate for partial mastectomy and radiation

How is a total mastectomy different from partial mastectomy?

While mastectomy removes the entire breast tissue, breast-conserving surgery that involves the removal of only the tumour, along with a surrounding margin of healthy tissue. Partial mastectomy is usually followed by radiation therapy and is as effective as mastectomy for single-site cancers less than 4 cm, and is generally considered by many women who would like to retain their own natural breasts.  Mastectomy can be followed by breast reconstruction surgery to reconstruct the lost breast tissue.

Can I prevent breast cancer with mastectomy?

Prophylactic mastectomy is a surgery performed to remove one or both of your breasts to reduce your risk of breast cancer. It is suggested in some women who are at a high risk of developing breast cancer. These risk factors include:

• Personal or family history of breast cancer
• Diagnosed positive for BRCA1, BRCA2 or PALB2 gene mutations