OUR MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM

It is best practice for people with breast cancer to be cared for by a team of medical and allied health professionals, each with their own expertise. This is known as the multidisciplinary team (MDT).

Multidisciplinary care (MDC) involving MDT is an integrated team approach to health care in which medical and allied health care professionals consider all relevant treatment options and develop collaboratively an individual treatment plan for each patient.

Dr Bindu is an active member of your hospital Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Team, which meets weekly/fortnightly as per the following schedule.

• Hollywood Private Hospital, Breast Cancer Research Institute, Perth – meets every week
• St John of God Murdoch Hospital, Murdoch – meets every 2 weeks
• Peel Health Campus - Genesis Cancer Centre, Mandurah - meets every 2 weeks

Cancer cases are discussed in the meetings. The Breast Cancer multidisciplinary team includes the following Specialists. The definitions given below are in the context of breast cancer and associated treatments.

Breast Surgeons

A breast surgeon is a doctor who specialises in removing breast tumours and lymph nodes while saving as much of the breast as possible. These doctors may also help diagnose or treat the cancer.

Medical Oncologists

Medical oncologists are specialist doctors in how to use medication to treat cancer. The medical oncologist manages the patient’s overall medical care for cancer and keeps an eye on the health during the treatment. They check the progress often, review lab and X-ray results, and plan medical care after the treatment.

Radiation Oncologist

A radiation oncologist is a doctor who is trained in treating cancer with radiation.

Pathologist

A pathologist is a doctor who checks tissue samples under a microscope. Pathologists decide whether cancer is present, its size, whether the surgery removed all the cancer, and how many lymph nodes have cancer, if any.

Radiologist

A radiologist is a doctor who is trained in reading x-rays, ct scans, mris, ultrasounds, and other forms of imaging that look into the body.

Breast Care Nurse

A nurse who provides specialist physical and psychological support. From the time of diagnosis, and throughout treatment, they inform, organise, empower, and support people with breast cancer and their families.

MDT Coordinator

An MDT coordinator is a core member of the team who organises and coordinates the meetings.