Does anyone know how quickly you get treated in the public health system?

[BlueYellowBoat]

I don't have private health insurance so been referred to the oncologist at a local hospital and my GP referred me and said they will reach out to me. I'm scared it will spread even though the doctor said it wont be too long. But how long will i need to wait? it gives me anxiety

[BlueYellowBoat]

bump

[kj]

Blue YellowBoat

Hopefully you won’t have to wait to long before you see an oncologist or surgeon ,waiting can be very difficult ,but they will contact you ,try not to stress,too much.The public system was very good for me when I had cancer.I hope you don’t wait to long for your appointment.In the meantime write up a list of questions you have for them and research your treatments.

[Leanne44]

Hello, 

I have just been diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and felt the same way as you, in the first instance though after seeing my GP and getting my results, I saw a surgeon 4 days after that, but then was told that they would operate within 2 weeks, but now have a hold up and it has stretched out to 5 weeks til surgery, as the radiologist that has to do the procedure to attach the fine hook wire into the tumour before surgery, is unavailable for a few weeks, even offered to travel an hour away to a larger hospital to have it done, but was told the same problem there as well, as the specialised radiographer is on leave.. it’s so upsetting and frustrating that it is out of my control.. and I go to bed feeling so much anxiety as to whether the tumour is growing larger by the day or is going to spread to my lymph nodes.. I just want it out ! 

[Michele63]

Hello

I hope that you were able to see an oncologist or related health professional and been able to start your treatment.

I was diagnosed in January 2023 and things moved pretty quickly from there. I was lucky enough to see a doctor in an Emergency Department of a 'major' regional WA hospital who ended up referring me to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (Charlies) to the team that manage my sort of cancer and things moved pretty quickly from there. Charlies also referred me to the Cancer nurse and team at the regional WA hospital for support which has been great.  Knowing I can talk to someone in my home town - and the cancer nurse at Charlies - has been a blessing.

It looks like pre-surgery radiation and surgery removed my sarcoma and I only needed to use the private hospital component of my health insurance for my hospital stay for the tumour removal.  Having said that I was told during the week during my first 'surveillance check',  that it looks like my cancer made friends and I need to be referred to a different type of surgeon - am waiting on the results of a PET scan before that is progressed.  Further, the waiting time to see that surgeon may reduce if I use my private health insurance. And that surgeon may not be able to help and/or I may need some other type of treatment if appropriate ('appropriate' is my word and not used by the clinical team who gave me the news).

It sounds like your GP's heart is in the right place so if you are still waiting to see an oncologist maybe follow up with him/her and see if there is a way to see the oncologist sooner rather than later. Mention to your GP that you are worried about spread when you talk to him/her. I'm not sure if you are in a regional area or a city but if you are in a regional area that may help and open up some doors for you and may mean that you can claim PATS for your travel and accommodation for your appointments and treatment.

Best wishes to you and yours.

[Leanne44]

Hello, 

I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in early July, saw the surgeon very quickly, but had about a month long wait until my first surgery, as the hold up was with the availability of a technician in nuclear medicine to perform the hook wire procedure before the surgery. But after the surgery was done, I have been fortunate with my care here in Tasmania, as we do suffer terribly with an over loaded health system and I was worried I would have to wait. I have had the best of support from a McGrath breast care nurse, the best oncologist and the cancer Centre within the hospital.. My surgeon told me that there would be no difference at all in the wait time as a public patient with cancer, as we have no hospital cover.. I was very relieved as you don't want any wait when you are treating cancer.. Good luck with everything 🙏