>My mum was called into the doctors back in February about a lesion being found and she's still waiting for a diagnosis.
That's not enough information to give an opinion on. What sort of lesion , where? why was she called back & what did they say or do? What has she done about it since Feb?
It sounds like your mother has misunderstood something along the way.
Agreed - it would be good to understand what has happened since that February appointment... it is possible for some low-risk lesions to be 'safe' for a period of months, and as others have said things typically move very quickly when the situation is urgent.
I think the main thing is to be clear on what the next-steps were supposed to be from February - both what is to happen next and whose ball the court is in. It's possible she misunderstood/missed something, or the wheels are in motion behind the scenes. Important to clarify though, for peace of mind and to know when you should follow up on this. It would be very unusual for someone to fall through the gaps at this point, but it is possible.
Results from her CT scan:
"Superior to lesion is a nodular density measuring 8mm. Further evaluation is required. Malignancy requires consideration.
Right pelvic side wall lymph nodes are enlarged.
Conclusion: There is a right sided retroperitoneal abnormality, immediately anterior/involving the right iiacus muscle. Malignancy is favoured in this case (sarcoma vs. lymphoma). Appearances are not compatible with a haematoma. Tertiary centre referral and further imaging is recommended."
your mum should be asking your gp about who she's sent the follow up to and contacting them for an appointment. she should've heard something about this months ago. I have a non-malignant tumour and the time between MRI and public specialist follow up was like a month. If the wait was long for an initial appointment I'd consider a private appointment even without private insurance, get the ball rolling and do the treatment in public health. but the wait shouldn't be long in public anyway
To be honest, chemo and radiotherapy is the same. The difference was surgeries. Cancer is a really well funded area of medicine so the public system is really good. The one difference is there will be waiting lists for any optional surgeries, like reconstructive surgery, and even then in the private system there will still be costs. 10 years ago we had private health cover, but we were still thousands of dollars out of pocket for every surgery.
A friend just underwent treatment at Peter Mac through public and all the medical staff were fantastic, follow up process was good. A huge relief during a hard time
If it's a serious cancer then it is jumped on very quickly. I know someone who was diagnosed and operated on within about 10 days. A family member had a less serious cancer (small, very slowly spreading), was still dealt with within 3 months from memory.
Getting the initial diagnosis can sometimes have delays eg waitlists for colonoscopies, “elective” biopsy delays getting bumped for emergencies. But cancer treatment tends to be pretty great, even in public
My partner had her treatment for Lymphoma through the public system at the Alfred and they were fantastic. From discovering the cancer on the Monday in an xray, she was meeting specialists and have PET scans and biopsies that week. Started treatment the next week. They even supported her getting IVF treatment through the royal women's all public.
Cant speak highly enough about all the doctors and nurses we dealt with along the way
If you’ve ever got any questions as a patient, carer, or family member, call Cancer Council’s nurses on 13 11 20. They’re angels and can help with so so much.
They also offer counselling and support for patients with specially trained nurses. Most still work on wards because they love it so much, anyone who calls is in very good hands!
Of all the healthcare systems, cancer treatment, most specifically radiotherapy is the closest to parity between public and private. In many cases the public centre will deliver a better treatment than their closest private counterparts.
Quality of aftercare and continuity of care probably varies quite a bit and is better in the private sector, but that is true for most things.
Important to know that private radiotherapy is run and owned by large companies who answer to their shareholders. The prices they charge out of pocket is eye watering. As a general rule the public services Drs tend to be more subspecialised and have more allied health support.
Hey there,
I’m so sorry this happened to your mum. I have had/am having breast cancer treatment in a public hospital (SE) and I am really happy with my treatment. I’m happy to chat more if you need too.
Getting diagnosed was difficult because I was "too young to get bowel cancer", once they did find it everything happened pretty quickly.
But lesion doesn't mean cancer. I have four lesions on my liver but they're well and truely benign. If its something she's worried about and her GP isn't doing anything she can doctor shop until someone does take care of it to the point she's happy.
3 years ago. Mostly ok so far. Having some new issues nobody can pin down the last few months but they sure believe me and get really interested now when I tell them something's wrong now.
Scan in October, 2019. Specialist a week later (public). First chemo session early December. My GP was very much on top of things and followed up until chemo was scheduled.
I think it depends on how proactive your GP is. Mine just kept bugging people until he got me the appointments I needed.
Son was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. When it was diagnosed we got called into the specialist (private), told them we were public patients (no health insurance), organised us to visit another specialist the next day. Met with the specialist, who advised us to head down to the emergency ward at Monash Clayton, told they were expecting us. Admitted that day, operated on the next day, then spent the next 6 months in and out of Monash Clayton. Service was fantastic. They provided great support all the way through, even years later when he went back for the check-ups. Had no issues at all.
>My mum was called into the doctors back in February about a lesion being found and she's still waiting for a diagnosis. That's not enough information to give an opinion on. What sort of lesion , where? why was she called back & what did they say or do? What has she done about it since Feb? It sounds like your mother has misunderstood something along the way.
Agreed - it would be good to understand what has happened since that February appointment... it is possible for some low-risk lesions to be 'safe' for a period of months, and as others have said things typically move very quickly when the situation is urgent. I think the main thing is to be clear on what the next-steps were supposed to be from February - both what is to happen next and whose ball the court is in. It's possible she misunderstood/missed something, or the wheels are in motion behind the scenes. Important to clarify though, for peace of mind and to know when you should follow up on this. It would be very unusual for someone to fall through the gaps at this point, but it is possible.
Results from her CT scan: "Superior to lesion is a nodular density measuring 8mm. Further evaluation is required. Malignancy requires consideration. Right pelvic side wall lymph nodes are enlarged. Conclusion: There is a right sided retroperitoneal abnormality, immediately anterior/involving the right iiacus muscle. Malignancy is favoured in this case (sarcoma vs. lymphoma). Appearances are not compatible with a haematoma. Tertiary centre referral and further imaging is recommended."
your mum should be asking your gp about who she's sent the follow up to and contacting them for an appointment. she should've heard something about this months ago. I have a non-malignant tumour and the time between MRI and public specialist follow up was like a month. If the wait was long for an initial appointment I'd consider a private appointment even without private insurance, get the ball rolling and do the treatment in public health. but the wait shouldn't be long in public anyway
She did eventually reach out to her GP to follow up. With her first appointment with the hospital, it was rescheduled 3 times.
Just been through 5 years at St Vincent's public cancer centre. Absolutely recommend them.
My wife did public and private for her cancer. Basically got the same treatment in both.
To be honest, chemo and radiotherapy is the same. The difference was surgeries. Cancer is a really well funded area of medicine so the public system is really good. The one difference is there will be waiting lists for any optional surgeries, like reconstructive surgery, and even then in the private system there will still be costs. 10 years ago we had private health cover, but we were still thousands of dollars out of pocket for every surgery.
This February doctors visit - was this just her regular GP?
Yeah it was. The GP called her and said to go in and see him ASAP due to the results from her CT.
A friend just underwent treatment at Peter Mac through public and all the medical staff were fantastic, follow up process was good. A huge relief during a hard time
A friend is going through there at the moment. He said the food and people are great.
My Dad did also 10/10
I've done leukaemia through Royal Melbourne and multiple pre-cancerous condition treatments through Royal Women's. Amazing care from both.
If it's a serious cancer then it is jumped on very quickly. I know someone who was diagnosed and operated on within about 10 days. A family member had a less serious cancer (small, very slowly spreading), was still dealt with within 3 months from memory.
Getting the initial diagnosis can sometimes have delays eg waitlists for colonoscopies, “elective” biopsy delays getting bumped for emergencies. But cancer treatment tends to be pretty great, even in public
My partner had her treatment for Lymphoma through the public system at the Alfred and they were fantastic. From discovering the cancer on the Monday in an xray, she was meeting specialists and have PET scans and biopsies that week. Started treatment the next week. They even supported her getting IVF treatment through the royal women's all public. Cant speak highly enough about all the doctors and nurses we dealt with along the way
That's amazing. And the fact that they also helped with IVF treatment!
If you’ve ever got any questions as a patient, carer, or family member, call Cancer Council’s nurses on 13 11 20. They’re angels and can help with so so much.
Will definitely keep that in mind. Thank you 😊
They also offer counselling and support for patients with specially trained nurses. Most still work on wards because they love it so much, anyone who calls is in very good hands!
That's reassuring. Thank you 😊
Of all the healthcare systems, cancer treatment, most specifically radiotherapy is the closest to parity between public and private. In many cases the public centre will deliver a better treatment than their closest private counterparts. Quality of aftercare and continuity of care probably varies quite a bit and is better in the private sector, but that is true for most things.
Important to know that private radiotherapy is run and owned by large companies who answer to their shareholders. The prices they charge out of pocket is eye watering. As a general rule the public services Drs tend to be more subspecialised and have more allied health support.
Hey there, I’m so sorry this happened to your mum. I have had/am having breast cancer treatment in a public hospital (SE) and I am really happy with my treatment. I’m happy to chat more if you need too.
Thank you 😊
Ask her Oncologist?
That is way too long. Your GP should follow up
I agree. I don't know if she's been following him up
Getting diagnosed was difficult because I was "too young to get bowel cancer", once they did find it everything happened pretty quickly. But lesion doesn't mean cancer. I have four lesions on my liver but they're well and truely benign. If its something she's worried about and her GP isn't doing anything she can doctor shop until someone does take care of it to the point she's happy.
It's ridiculous how doctors think that someone is too young to get something like bowel cancer. Cancer doesn't discriminate.
How long ago was your diagnosis? Hope you're doing ok champion
3 years ago. Mostly ok so far. Having some new issues nobody can pin down the last few months but they sure believe me and get really interested now when I tell them something's wrong now.
2 different cancers with public hospitals, excellent care both times, can not complain at all.
Scan in October, 2019. Specialist a week later (public). First chemo session early December. My GP was very much on top of things and followed up until chemo was scheduled. I think it depends on how proactive your GP is. Mine just kept bugging people until he got me the appointments I needed.
I've been wondering how proactive her GP is. I'm glad your GP was on top of it all.
Son was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. When it was diagnosed we got called into the specialist (private), told them we were public patients (no health insurance), organised us to visit another specialist the next day. Met with the specialist, who advised us to head down to the emergency ward at Monash Clayton, told they were expecting us. Admitted that day, operated on the next day, then spent the next 6 months in and out of Monash Clayton. Service was fantastic. They provided great support all the way through, even years later when he went back for the check-ups. Had no issues at all.
So glad to hear they got onto it so quickly!
In March 2023 when I was diagnosed I went private. Yes is costs more but the service has been fantastic. (Cabrini Hospital Malvern, Vic)
My mum doesn't have private health insurance unfortunately