The study was conducted over a 3 year period with over 1290 patients. Techniques are specific to cancer patients and highly beneficial as a positive part of other medical treatments at all stages of the cancer journey.

Service details

Eligible patients: everyone
Medicare registered: no
Cost: $80 per hour, $120 per 90 mins
Bulk bill: no
Require same day payment: yes
Gap: n/a

Referrals

Argus: no
VSRF: no
Phone: 0418 335 759
Fax #: n/a
Address: 1104 Howitt Street, Wendouree VIC 3355
Reports returned by: mail

About Clinical & Oncology Massage

Hours are Wednesday afternoons, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. After hours appointments available.

http://www.katebutler.com.au/

About Kate Butler

Experience: full-time practice since 1997,  Massage Therapist for the Epworth Hospital, Melbourne Clinic, with referrals from the Elim Pain Management Centre in Richmond.

Other interests: chronic pain management, post operative rehabilitation, musculo-skeletal disorders and injury.

Credentials: BA, Dip Ther Mass, AAMT

For more information and to register, please contact Rebecca Steele at rebecca.steele@ovariancancer.net.au or call 1300 660 334.

About Ovarian Cancer Australia

Ovarian Cancer Australia is a national not-for-profit organisation that provides support and advocacy for people affected by ovarian cancer, and is the peak body for ovarian cancer awareness and prevention.

Its programs are focused on raising awareness of ovarian cancer and providing support networks and resources for women and their families and friends affected by ovarian cancer.

February is national Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, an initiative of Ovarian Cancer Australia. To raise awareness of ovarian cancer in your local community order symptom diaries (A4 sheet), awareness brochures and posters.

If any of your patients has ovarian cancer please refer them to Ovarian Cancer Australia for a range of information resources and support options.

Contact Ovarian Cancer Australia on 1300 660 334 or visit the website.

Jill is a mental health social worker, with 15 years experience in community health and cancer care.

Service details

Eligibility: anyone
Medicare registered: yes
Cost: $85 (concession available)
Bulk bill: yes
Same day payment: no
Gap: $15 if no concession

More details under Jill’s entry in the mental health directory.

Referrals

Argus: no
VSRF: no
Fax #: 5331 6057
Postal address: 28 Learmonth St Ballarat VIC 3350
Reports returned by: mail

PapScreen’s message to GPs in our division is to remind female patients to have regular two-yearly Pap tests, as only 54.6 per cent of women in the Division have had a Pap test in the last two years.¹

This places our division well below the state’s two-yearly cervical screening average of 62.3 per cent. Many women residing in our division are not adequately protecting themselves against cervical cancer.

Recalls and reminders are crucial

Reminders from GPs are vitally important, as approximately 80 per cent of Pap tests taken in Victoria are by GPs², and data shows almost 70 per cent of women rely on prompts from their doctor or reminder letters from their health service.³

Provide accurate information to women

Women might not consider themselves eligible for Pap screening. Women might believe they no longer require Pap testing if they are no longer having sex or currently have no partner.

It is important to remind eligible women who have received the HPV vaccine to continue to have Pap screening. Providing accurate information is important.

Consider a practice nurse Pap test provider

Nurses can play a key role in providing cervical screening, particularly in rural Victoria and with older and under-screened women. Women can be reluctant to undergo Pap screening with their usual doctor.⁴

Contact us to ask about possible funding opportunities to extend clinical hours to provide cervical screening outreach in rural areas.

BDDGP has also produced a business plan related to PNs providing Pap testing.

Contact me for information and resources at jom@bddgp.org.au.

References

For more information about cervical cancer prevention, or to order any of PapScreen’s resources (these include brochures and information sheets for women, GP cards and posters for waiting rooms) visit papscreen.org.au or call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.

1. Victorian Cervical Cytology Register Statistical Report 2008

2. Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing 2004

3. Cancer Issues Population Survey 2007: PapScreen Victoria component.

4. PapScreen Victoria Final Report 2000-2005

Support is available via phone counseling or consultation at Ballarat Community Health Centre.

This support can take a variety of forms:

• Discussing treatment concerns & helping patients understand their options.
• Providing a central point of contact for care coordination for breast cancer patients, their families and carers.
• Available (by phone) as a participant/resource in multidisciplinary care-management planning.
• An information resource for health care workers such as enhanced practice nurses in the care of breast cancer patients.

The service is provided community-wide without charge.

Referrals are accepted using the VSRF. Please ensure relevant investigation results & any known social issues are included.

For further information please contact Fiona Reeves, McGrath Breast Care Nurse;

Mobile: 0401 242 407
Phone: 5320 6729
Fax: 5320 4076
Postal: c/o GICS, PO BOX 577, Ballarat VIC 3353

This places the Ballarat and District Division of GP well below the state’s two-yearly cervical screening average of 63.1 per cent. This means over one third of women residing in the Ballarat and District Division of GP are not adequately protecting themselves against cervical cancer.

Reminders from GPs are vitally important as approximately 80 per cent of Pap tests taken in Victoria are by GPs*, and data shows almost 70 per cent of women rely on prompts from their doctor or reminder letters from their health service.**

“Women can be reminded about Pap tests when they come in for an appointment about another health issue; doctors play such an important role in educating women about health issues and preventative screening measures.

“We’re also hoping our television advertising campaign, which is running state-wide across all television stations for three months, will encourage women across all GP Divisions to screen,” said Ms Broun.

For more information about cervical cancer prevention or to order any of PapScreen’s resources (these include brochures and information sheets for women, GP cards and posters for waiting rooms) visit our website at www.papscreen.org.au or call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.

* Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing 2004

** Cancer Issues Population Survey 2007: PapScreen Victoria component.

While the main risk factors are increasing age and being female, about five to 10 per cent of breast and ovarian cancers are due to the inheritance of a mutated gene. There are several mutations in cancer predisposing genes which are known to increase the risk of both or either breast and ovarian cancer.

Although genetic mutation accounts for a relatively small proportion of cancers, knowing your patients’ family history of breast or ovarian cancer (and other cancer types) is important in order to identify those at increased risk.

Taking a family history

An accurate family history* should include:

• Asking the woman about any primary cancer in all first degree (parents, siblings, children) and second degree (aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandparents) relatives on both sides of the family
• Establishing the site and age at diagnosis of the cancers
• Confirming, if possible, reports of cancer in relatives – a person’s knowledge of their family history may be inaccurate
• Updating the family history regularly – it may change with time

Consider relatives on each side of the family separately.

A woman could be at potentially higher risk of developing either breast or ovarian cancer if she has:

• Multiple relatives on one side of the family affected by breast cancer (male or female) or ovarian cancer
• Younger age at diagnosis in relatives
• Any relatives affected by both breast and ovarian cancer
• Any relatives affected with bilateral breast cancer
• Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry

When to refer

GPs are encouraged to refer patients with a strong family history of cancer to a family cancer centre. Family cancer centres provide information to both the patient and their health professional about risk and the likelihood of carrying an inherited mutation, as well as offering counselling and support, advice about reducing the risk and early detection,  and if appropriate, genetic testing.

For further information, advice and  patient resources, health professionals, including GPs and practice nurses, can call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20. Note: the new “Cancer in the family” patient brochure and poster are now available to order via the Helpline.

The National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre has excellent resources for health professionals, including a resource card: Advice about familial aspects of breast cancer and epithelial ovarian cancer. Visit: www.nbocc.org.au.

* Advice about familial aspects of breast cancer and epithelial ovarian cancer: NBOCC February 2006

We welcome additional referrals to ensure comprehensive participation for the research component. The program has been further developed since its inception in May 2008, to meet the specific needs of breast cancer patients.

This research program is supported by GICS and developed to provide regular exercise, support and education to assist patients to progress through their cancer journey. The aim is to alleviate the problems associated with the treatment such as fatigue, nausea, loss of function, anxiety and depression, and the diagnosis itself.

• Duration: The program is held, two days per week for 12 weeks and clients can enter the program at any stage. The program consists of two, one hour sessions of exercise and one hour of education/discussion on topics helpful to patients with cancer and their families. Participants are regularly reviewed by the rehabilitation physician, physiotherapist, psychologist and oncology nurse.
• Cost: Most private health insurance companies provide outpatient rehabilitation cover. Grant money funding to establish the program and evaluate the findings, minimises the costs for uninsured patients.
• Access: Admission to the program is by GP or specialist referral.

For more information on this pilot program please contact me, Louise Cooke, Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist on 5320 2861 or email louise.cooke@sjog.org.au.