Patient information

What is cancer?

Cancer is a disease of the cells, which are the body’s basic building blocks. Cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way. These abnormal cells can damage or invade the surrounding tissues, or spread to other parts of the body, causing further damage.

Most cancers start in a particular organ. This is called the primary site or primary tumour. Tumours can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).

How cancer spreads

Sometimes cancer cells break off the primary tumour and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system. These travel to a new organ to form secondary tumours. This is called metastasis.

Your Treatment Day

On your chemotherapy treatment day there will be a number of steps:

• You will consult with your doctor prior to the commencement of your treatment.  Your doctor will check that your blood counts are of satisfactory level.
• Your family and friends are most welcome to stay with you whilst you are having your treatment.
• You will have an IV inserted (if you don’t have a port or catheter) for the chemotherapy drugs to be administered.
• Pre-chemotherapy drugs may be given to help prevent nausea or allergic reactions.
• Treatment times will vary depending on the chemotherapy drugs used.
• You will be able to eat and drink as normal during your treatment. Tea, coffee and other beverages and light meals will be offered to you whilst in the oncology unit.
• When your chemotherapy treatment is finished your IV will be removed.
• The nurses will again explain any side effects you may experience and how to manage them.

Referral procedure

To request an appointment to see one of our oncologists or other consultants, please obtain a referral from your General Practitioner or Specialist. To expedite patient processing, please fax your referral to (08) 8275 3334 or email mailbox@sosa.net.au

Costs

For outpatient appointments, full payment on the day would be appreciated. You may receive a rebate from medicare for your outpatient appointment.

Chemotherapy expenses are billed to your health fund for treatment as a day stay patient. Patients will need to check with their private health insurer as to whether there is any excess payment to be paid. Your doctors appointment on the day of treatment will be covered by your health fund.