Your health care team
Your general practitioner (GP) will arrange the first tests to assess your symptoms. If these tests do not rule out cancer, you’ll usually be referred to a specialist breast service for further tests.
If breast cancer is diagnosed, you will usually first see a breast surgeon who will consider treatment options. Often these will be discussed with other health professionals at what is known as a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting.
The different roles
During and after treatment, you will see a range of health professionals who specialise in different aspects of your care. They may include:
- GP – assists you with treatment decisions and works in partnership with your specialists in providing ongoing care
- Breast physician – diagnoses breast cancer and coordinates treatment for breast cancer in some clinics
- Breast surgeon – specialises in surgery and performs biopsies; some breast surgeons also perform breast reconstruction and plastic surgery procedures
- Oncoplastic breast surgeon – specialises in using plastic surgery techniques to reconstruct breast tissue after surgery
- Reconstructive (plastic) surgeon – performs breast reconstruction for women who have had a mastectomy
- Anaesthetist – administers anaesthetic before surgery and monitors you during the operation
- Pathologist – examines cells and tissue samples that are removed from the breast to work out the type and extent of the cancer
- Breast care nurses – provides information, support and referral to women affected by breast cancer during and after treatment
- Nurse – administers drugs and provides care, information and support throughout treatment
- Radiographer – performs x-rays, mammograms and other scans
- Sonographer – performs ultrasounds
- Radiologist – analyses x-rays, mammograms, ultrasounds and other scans
- Radiation oncologist – treats cancer by prescribing and coordinating a course of radiation therapy
- Radiation therapist – plans and delivers radiation therapy
- Medical oncologist – treats cancer with drug therapies such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy
- Lymphoedema practitioner – educates people about lymphoedema prevention and management, and provides treatment if lymphoedema occurs; often a physiotherapist
- Dietitian – recommends an eating plan to follow during treatment and recovery
- Exercise physiologist – prescribes exercise to help people with medical conditions improve their overall health, fitness, strength and energy levels
- Physiotherapist, occupational therapist – assist with physical and practical problems, including restoring movement and mobility after treatment, and recommending aids and equipment
- Social worker – links you to support services and helps you with emotional, practical or financial issues
- Genetic counsellor – provides advice for people with a strong family history of breast cancer or with a genetic condition linked to breast cancer
- Psychiatrist, counsellor, psychologist – help you manage your emotional response to diagnosis and treatment
Click on the icon below to download a PDF booklet on Breast Cancer
Instructions for downloading and reading EPUB files
Apple devices
The iBooks application must be installed on your Apple device before you can read the EPUB.
Different ways to download an EPUB file to your Apple device:
- email EPUB files to yourself and transfer the attachment to iBooks.
- copy EPUB files into DropBox (or a similar service) and use the DropBox app to send them to iBooks.
- open EPUB files directly from Mobile Safari and open them in iBooks, where they are saved automatically by downloading the EPUB from the website.
Need more help? Visit: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4059
Kobo
To download an EPUB file to your Kobo from a Windows computer:
- download and save the EPUB directly onto your desktop.
- connect your Kobo to your computer using the USB cable and tap “Connect” on your eReader.
- select “Open folder to view files” to view the contents of your Kobo.
- navigate to where you have stored your EPUB file in “Finder”, in documents or downloads, and drag and drop it into the Kobo window. You can now disconnect your Kobo to read the eBook.
To download an EPUB to your Kobo from a Mac:
- download and save the EPUB directly onto your desktop.
- connect your Kobo to your computer using the USB cable and tap “Connect” on your eReader.
- open your “Finder” application.
- select “Kobo eReader” from the listed devices to view the contents of your Kobo.
- navigate to where you have stored your EPUB file in “Finder”, probably in documents or downloads, and drag and drop it into the Kobo window. You can now disconnect your Kobo to read the eBook.
Turn on your Kobo and your EPUB will be located in “eBooks”, while a PDF will be located in “Documents”.
Need more information? Visit: http://www.kobo.com/help/koboaura/response/?id=3784&type=3
Sony Reader
To download an EPUB file on your Sony Reader™:
- ensure you have already installed the Reader™ Library for PC/Mac software
- select the eBook you want from our website and click the link to download it.
- connect the Reader™ to your computer.
- open the Reader™ Library software and click “Library” in the left-hand pane and select the eBook to view it.
Need more help? Visit: https://au.readerstore.sony.com/apps_and_devices/
Amazon Kindle 2nd Generation devices
EPUB files can’t be read on the Amazon Kindle™. However, like most eReaders, Kindle™ 2nd Generation devices are able to display PDFs. We recommend that you download the PDF version of this booklet if you would like to read it on a Kindle™.
To transfer a PDF to your Kindle™ via USB cable from your computer or Mac:
- download the PDF directly onto your computer.
- connect the USB cable to your computer’s USB port, and the micro USB end of the cable to your Kindle™. Note: the Kindle™ won’t be available as a reading device while it is connected to your computer until it has been disconnected.
- open the Kindle™ drive and several folders will appear inside. The “Documents” folder is where you will need to copy or drag the PDF to.
- safely eject your Kindle™ from your computer and unplug the USB cable. Your content will appear on the Home Screen.
Kindle also provides a Kindle Personal Documents Service that allows users to send documents as an attachment directly to your eReader. For more information on this service, visit http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=help_search_1-1?ie=UTF8&nodeId=200767340&qid=1395967989&sr=1-1
For more information on accessing a PDF on your Kindle™, visit www.amazon.com/manageyourkindle, log in to your account and click on Personal Document Settings.
Need more help? Visit https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200375630
Android and PC
You can also download and open eBooks on Android devices and PCs with appropriate apps or software installed. Suitable eReader apps for Android include Google Play Books, FBReader and Moon+ Reader. Suitable software for PCs include Calibre and Adobe Digital Editions.
This information was last reviewed in August 2018
Support services
Coping with cancer?
Speak to a health professional or someone who has been there, or find a support group or forum
Looking for transport, accommodation or home help?
Practical advice and support during and after treatment
Cancer information
Patient rights and responsibilities
What you can reasonably expect from your health care providers
Dealing with the diagnosis
Common reactions to a cancer diagnosis and how to find hope
View our publications
Guides and fact sheets for people with cancer, their families and friends
