What to expect at your 1st appointment
Making an Appointment
“With care and compassion we support you through each step of your journey.”
The fear of the unknown can be overwhelming after receiving the news of a cancer diagnosis. With this in mind we endeavour to ensure your first appointment with us is arranged swiftly.
Your first appointment with Dr James Dickson will be booked for a one hour consultation. Upon arrival you will be asked by the reception staff to complete our “Patient Information Sheet”. You may choose to do this in person on your appointment day or via our link on the website and email through to us beforehand.
You can expect that Dr James Dickson will have all necessary information pertaining to your diagnosis. With this information he will have a detailed discussion with you regarding your diagnosis and possible treatment options. You will be provided with information sheets on any treatment options discussed and given the opportunity to go away and think about your options before making any decisions. We advise that you bring along at least one close contact with you for support or be a second set of ears in assisting you with questions or information retention.
After your consultation with Dr James Dickson, it is not uncommon that you may have decided on your treatment option and our reception staff can make arrangements to book your first treatment ahead of time in the “St Andrew’s Chemotherapy Suite”. Should you need any tests, scans or appointments that require a booking our reception staff will arrange these whilst you are in our rooms for you. It is most important to us that you have as little administrative work to worry about so that you can focus on your health and treatment.
If it is decided that your specialised treatment plan involves infused chemotherapy/immunotherapy, these treatments will generally be financially funded by your private health insurance fund hospital cover. Dr James Dickson does not charge any out of pocket gap above your private health cover. The only out of pocket fee you may expect is your excess payment arrangement with your private health insurance fund. Should there be an annual excess required by your health insurance fund this will be billed and paid through St Andrew’s hospital. You will be advised beforehand if this is the case.
There will be a fee on the day for your consultation with Dr James Dickson. We request that your account be paid in full on the day of consultation and the reception staff will process your claim with Medicare online. You will receive a rebate directly from Medicare into your nominated bank account.
Please do not hesitate to contact us via the Link on the website, telephone or email should you need any clarification on the information you have read.
“With care and compassion we support you through each step of your journey.”
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, enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and travel to a new organ to form secondary tumours. This is called metastasis.
What are the different types of cancer?
There are many different types of cancer, and usually they are named for the organ or cell type of the primary cancer. For example, bladder cancer starts in the bladder, prostate cancer starts in the prostate, lung cancer starts in the lung.
Different types of cancer can be grouped into several broad categories2
- carcinoma: cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs for example, melanoma
- sarcoma: cancer that begins in bone, fat, muscle, blood vessel, or other supportive or connective tissue - for example, osteosarcoma
- leukaemia: cancer that begins in the tissues that make blood cells, such as the bone marrow - for example, acute myeloid leukaemia
- lymphoma and myeloma: cancers that start in cells of the immune system - for example, Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma
- central nervous system cancer: cancer that begins in the brain or spinal cord - for example, glioma.
A diagnosis of cancer marks the beginning of a journey full of emotional, psychological, physical and practical challenges.
People treated for cancer may experience a range of physical changes and symptoms. People describe a number of feelings after a diagnosis of cancer.
After a diagnosis of cancer, there may be a number of practical things to think about. These may include the choices of treatment, the cost of treatment and support, the cost of travel and accommodation, and childcare arrangements.
Having support during diagnosis and treatment for cancer is very important. Having good support from family and friends, from health professionals or special support services makes it much easier to cope with having cancer.
COST
There will be a fee on the day for your consultation with Dr James Dickson. We request that your account be paid in full on the day of consultation and the reception staff will process your claim with Medicare online. You will receive a rebate directly from Medicare into your nominated bank account.
For infused chemotherapy/immunotherapy treatments funding will be provided by your private health insurance and conducted at the St Andrew’s Chemotherapy suite admitted as a day patient. Dr James Dickson does not charge any out of pocket gap above your private health cover. The only out of pocket fee you may expect is your excess payment arrangement with your private health insurance fund. Should there be an annual excess required by your health insurance fund this will be billed and paid through St Andrew’s Hospital. You will be advised beforehand if this is the case.