New breast cancer multidisciplinary team launched in Mandurah

Based out of Mandurah's new specialist cancer centre, GenesisCare, the team met for the first time on October 31, which is also the end of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

The team of specialists includes medical and radiation oncologists, surgeons, pathologists and the local McGrath breast care nurse.

They will come together to discuss patient case studies and workshop solutions to provide a holistic approach to care for breast cancer patients in Mandurah.

Breast surgeon Dr Saud Hamza said the launch of the team was "great news".

"This is a huge thing for Mandurah because it provides tertiary level care for patients within the region," he said.

"Now, they really hardly have to leave Mandurah to go to Perth for any treatment because it can all be provided here.

"It is fantastic, it is a wonderful service."

Dr Hamza said the multidisciplinary team still had more planned to even better improve the services available to local breast cancer patients.

"The team are all in but we're still working on getting more to join us, like clinical psychology which is a big part and very important," he said.

"Collaboration is very important and thankfully we are all on the same page.

"Together, we can plan for each patient and have a clear understanding to provide that holistic approach."

Dr Hamza said Peel Health Campus' new breast care nurse, who started in the role in August, would be "the glue that pulls the team together".

"She will be the person who will liaise between this group," he said.

"Through her, we will be able to provide counselling support for women with breast cancer with the Cancer Council."

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Clinical director and consultant radiologist, Dr Nazar Bokani, who was also a spokesperson at the first team meeting on Thursday, said it was wonderful to be able to provide almost all of the necessary services nearby.

"I'm very pleased that Global Diagnostics has invested over $2 million recently to expanded services at our Peel practices," he said.

"They now provide the full range of breast imaging and intervention services including 3D mammography, ultrasound, MRI, nuclear medicine and pre-op localisation procedures."

Halo's chief executive officer and founder Dee Frietag was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in January.

Despite continuing to help others in need and not slowing down one bit in her fight to fill gaps in community services, the treatment has taken its toll - both physically and mentally.

Dee, who is well known for her notorious strength and resilience, said she didn't know how she would cope if the treatment she needed wasn't available locally.

"If I had to go to Fiona Stanley, I would be spending hours of my day as a cancer patient with all that travel, as opposed to here where I am a cancer patient for a maximum of one hour," she said.

"Outside of that I am Dee the mum, Dee the wife or Dee from Halo."

Dee is currently coming to the end of five weeks of radiation therapy, following a double mastectomy, to help prevent the cancer from returning.

She said the new multidisciplinary team was an asset to the region and would help patients keep mentally strong as they undergo their cancer battle.

"It was so overwhelming to start with because I had so many doctors and I didn't know who to go to for what but now I have my whole team close by and they're all here if I have any concerns," she said.

"I've done most of my radiology down here, I see my breast care nurses down here and my surgeon as well which is really good, but it just makes you feel so comfortable knowing your team is just outside your door.

"The whole process is so difficult but to have a little bit of comfort and stay close to home helps heaps with your mentality."