You may be sent for tests after a screening mammogram, or your general practitioner (GP) may arrange tests to check your symptoms. If these tests do not rule out cancer, you will usually be referred to a specialist or breast clinic.
If breast cancer is diagnosed, you will see a breast surgeon or a medical oncologist, who will talk to you about your treatment options. Often these will be discussed with other health professionals at a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting. During and after treatment, you will see a range of health professionals who specialise in different aspects of your care. You may not see all members of the MDT.
To find cancer specialists, multidisciplinary teams and hospitals in NSW or ACT, you can visit the NSW Government website CanRefer.
Health professionals you may see
During and after treatment, you will see a range of health professionals who specialise in different aspects of your care. You may not need to see all members of the MDT.
| GP | arranges initial tests to investigate symptoms; assists you with treatment decisions and works in partnership with your specialists in providing ongoing care when cancer is diagnosed |
| breast physician | diagnoses breast cancer and other breast conditions, especially when initial test results are unclear; provides care and support during and after treatment |
| radiologist | analyses mammograms, ultrasounds and other scans; performs fine needle and core biopsies to confirm diagnosis |
| radiographer/ sonographer | performs mammograms, breast ultrasound and other scans |
| breast surgeon | diagnoses breast cancer, performs surgical (excisional) biopsies in some clinics; performs breast surgery; some breast surgeons also perform breast reconstruction; oncoplastic breast surgeons specialise in using plastic surgery techniques to reconstruct breast tissue after surgery |
| reconstructive (plastic) surgeon | performs breast reconstruction after mastectomy |
| radiation oncologist | treats cancer by prescribing and overseeing a course of radiation therapy |
| medical oncologist | treats cancer with drug therapies such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy (systemic treatment) |
| breast care nurse | provides breast cancer care; also provides information and facilitates referrals during and after treatment |
| chemotherapy nurse | administers drugs and provides care, information and support throughout treatment |
| anaesthetist | assesses your health before the operation, administers anaesthetic and looks after you during and after surgery; plans your pain relief |
| radiation therapist | plans and delivers radiation therapy |
| physiotherapist, exercise physiologist | help restore movement and mobility, and improve fitness and wellbeing |
| occupational therapist | assists in adapting your living and working environment to help you resume usual activities after treatment |
| lymphoedema practitioner | educates people about lymphoedema prevention and management, and provides treatment if lymphoedema occurs; is often a physiotherapist or occupational therapist |
| social worker | links you to support services and helps you with emotional, practical and financial issues |
| dietitian | helps with nutrition concerns and recommends changes to diet during treatment and recovery |
| psychologist, counsellor | help you manage your emotional response to diagnosis and treatment |
| genetic counsellor | provides advice for people with a strong family history of breast cancer or for people with a genetic condition linked to cancer |
| sexual health counsellor | helps you manage the sexual side effects of cancer and its treatments |
→ READ MORE: Breast cancer treatment
More resources
Dr Diana Adams, Medical Oncologist, Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre, NSW; Prof Bruce Mann, Specialist Breast Surgeon and Director, Breast Cancer Services, The Royal Melbourne and The Royal Women’s Hospitals, VIC; Dr Shagun Aggarwal, Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Prince of Wales, Sydney Children’s and Royal Hospital for Women, NSW; Andrea Concannon, consumer; Jenny Gilchrist, Nurse Practitioner Breast Oncology, Macquarie University Hospital, NSW; Monica Graham, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Natasha Keir, Nurse Practitioner Breast Oncology, GenesisCare, QLD; Dr Bronwyn Kennedy, Breast Physician, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, NSW; Lisa Montgomery, consumer; A/Prof Sanjay Warrier, Specialist Breast Surgeon, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Dr Janice Yeh, Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC.
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