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Information for people with cancer of the oesophagus and pancreas

Community news
21 Sep 2012
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If you have been diagnosed with cancer, there are many things to consider, and questions to ask your doctor.

What should I ask about treatment options?

Firstly, for anyone with cancer who needs to undergo treatment, it is important that your care is overseen by a multidisciplinary team. This is a team of health professionals from different disciplines, including surgeons, medical oncologists (who prescribe chemotherapy), radiation oncologists (who prescribe radiotherapy), nurses and allied health professionals. They will specialise in your type of cancer and will work together to discuss your treatment options and develop your treatment plan.

How do I find the closest multidisciplinary team for my cancer?

Canrefer is an online directory for NSW where you can search for your closest specialist multidisciplinary team by entering your cancer type and postcode. It is a free directory that is available for you, your family and your GP when you discuss your referral to a hospital for treatment.

I've been diagnosed with oesophageal/pancreatic cancer and I'm told I may need to undergo surgery. What do I need to consider?

If you have been diagnosed with a rarer cancer, such as cancer of the oesophagus or pancreas, and need to undergo a surgical procedure, it is vital that the hospital undertaking your surgical procedure has experience performing this surgery regularly. It is the experience of your entire healthcare team, rather than the individual surgeon, whose collective experience in your surgery is most important to ensure you get the best outcome.

What questions should I ask to find out the experience my hospital has in performing my surgery?

The Cancer Institute NSW suggests that, as part of your discussion with your GP and the surgeon who is going to perform your oesophagectomy or pancreatectomy, you make sure that you ask the following questions:

  • The first question: Will my care be overseen by a multi-disciplinary team?
  • The second question: How many of these procedures were done in this hospital in the last year?
  • The third question: How many of these procedures were done in NSW in the last year?

If you are at all concerned about the answers you receive, seek another opinion.

Further resources for patients

Cancer Council NSW

CanAssist: Cancer Assistance Network

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