We welcome you and you loved ones to Icon Cancer Centre.

At Icon, care is more than just a word – it is a belief in a personal approach that matches your needs and those of your loved ones in the toughest of times. We understand that a cancer diagnosis can be confronting for you and your loved ones. We are here to support you with compassion, knowledge and hope.

This brochure supports the information provided to you by your care team. Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the information in this brochure with your doctor or member of our team.

Every member of our multidisciplinary team are here to help you. Here are some of the people you may meet and the role they have in your care.

Medical Oncologists are doctors who specialise in diagnosing and treating cancer with the use of chemotherapy drugs, immunotherapy and hormone therapies. Your medical oncologist will develop and continually review your treatment plan and in most cases, lead and manage your overall care.

Haematologists specialise in treating blood disorders and cancers affecting the blood e.g. leukaemia, or blood forming organs such as the bone marrow.

Oncology Nurses will support you throughout many areas of your treatment and overall wellbeing, including administering your chemotherapy, monitoring your symptoms and managing any side effects. Your nursing team can answer any questions you may have and provide additional sources of information regarding your treatment and diagnosis.

Administration team will coordinate your treatment at the centre, including appointment bookings, billing and connecting you with external support services. If you have any questions or are ever unsure who to talk to, our administration team can help.

Pharmacist staff are committed to supporting your care. Our pharmacists work with you and alongside your doctor and nursing team to make sure the treatment you receive is
optimal and safe. Our pharmacists are available on-site to answer questions, provide advice and information about your medications.

You may need additional support from other allied health professionals such as dietitians or physiotherapists while you are having treatment. Talk to your doctor or nurse about what services are available and how they can help you.

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. You may feel unable to take everything in or like you have forgotten some of the details.

It is important to ask questions that will help you gain a full understanding of your diagnosis. Having a loved one with you can help. They can be there for support and can also ask any questions you may not think of.

Questions for your doctor

Below are some questions you might like to ask your doctor. It can be useful to write down the answers, or ask your doctor or carer to do so for you.

At your first appointment, you will meet with your doctor who will talk you through your diagnosis and your treatment plan, and address any concerns and questions you may have. One of our experienced nurses will take some time to discuss possible treatment side effects and how to manage them, and any possible anxiety you and your family might be feeling.

When you first arrive, let our administration team know you’re here so they can welcome you to the centre. We understand that your family are an important part of your support network and we encourage you to bring a support person with you when you visit our centre.

Your comfort is our priority

It is important to us that you feel as comfortable as possible during your visit. We offer a range of amenities for patients and families to make things a bit easier, including:

• Complimentary wireless internet throughout the centre
• Complimentary snacks and access to tea and coffee facilities
• Private on-site consultation rooms so you can access treatment and appointments from the same location

Icon Cancer Centre is a smoke-free environment. Please speak with your doctor or nurse if you require support to help you quit smoking.

We will always have time to help and support you. If you’re unsure about something or would like help finding more information about your diagnosis and treatment, please ask your doctor or nurse.

Most chemotherapy treatments are given in repeating cycles. The length of a cycle depends on the treatment being given.

Before you begin, your care team will talk you through all aspects of our treatment and ask you to give informed consent.

What to expect

When it’s time to start your treatment, in most cases, an intravenous (IV) drip will be inserted into a vein in your arm or your Central Venous Access Device (CVAD) accessed by one of our experienced nurses. A blood test is usually taken prior to your treatment to ensure your blood counts are at a satisfactory level for your first treatment.

Depending on your treatment, you might also be given anti-nausea medication.

You might receive drugs during your treatment that make you feel drowsy. If this happens it is important you have a family member, friend or carer to take you home. If you need help
with transport please speak to our administration team, who can arrange on your behalf.

Having a few personal items can make you more comfortable during treatment. Here is a checklist of things you could bring with you:

Please do not bring large amounts of money or other valuables to the centre as we are unable to offer secure storage for personal belongings left unattended.

Appointments with your doctor or for your treatment can be made in person or over the telephone with our friendly administration team. Treatment appointment times are allocated according to the length of time it will take to administer your treatment. If you’re unable to attend your appointment please let our administration team know as soon as possible so we can work with you to arrange a more suitable time.

During treatment, you may develop side effects or symptoms that require you to be admitted to hospital. A hospital admission could be for any of the following reasons:

• Sometimes side effects from your chemotherapy can make you sick and you may need to be admitted for a trial of different anti-sickness medication. Additional fluids may be
  required which will be given through an intravenous cannula in your vein or a central venous catheter (if you have had one inserted).
• Your blood results may mean that your doctor would prefer you are admitted to hospital for a transfusion of blood or platelets.
• Your temperature is raised continuously above 37.5 degrees Celsius and you have other symptoms that suggest you may have an infection and will need antibiotics
  administered either through an intravenous cannula into your vein or central venous catheter (if you have had one inserted).
• You may develop sores in your mouth that become painful and spread, thereby requiring you to be admitted for treatment.
•  Sometimes cancer treatments may cause diarrhoea which, if it becomes troublesome, may require you to be admitted.
• Your doctor may require you to have procedures such as x-rays and ultrasounds and some of these may
  require overnight preparation.

We will take the time to go through treatment side effects with you including what to do in an emergency and what to look out for. We encourage you and your support persons to ask
questions at any time, and will provide ongoing opportunities for you to do so.

It is important to always be on the alert for common signs of an infection, such as:

We will take the time to talk through all aspects of your treatment plan and provide you with a detailed cost estimate before your first treatment.

If your treatment plan changes, we will discuss any costs with you and make sure there are no surprises throughout your treatment.

Self-funded patients

If you have an insurance excess, co-payment, basic cover or no health insurance, our reception team will provide you with a detailed cost estimate and talk you through all the expected costs of your treatment. Payment is required on the day of each treatment. If you have financial concerns at any time, please discuss this with your administration team.

Private health insurance

Icon has access to private health insurance with all health funds, and contracts with most major health funds. If we have a contract with your health fund, we can apply for your
insurance pre-approval and process claims on your behalf. Your health fund will then send the payment directly to the centre to be credited to your account. If you have an insurance excess, or a co-payment is needed, you will be provided with an estimate of treatment costs and payment required on the day of treatment.

Doctor’s fees

Your doctor’s fee for consultation on the same day as treatment will be charged directly to your health fund. Most doctors do not charge a gap fee, however others may charge more than
the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), meaning you will be required to pay a gap fee depending on your level of cover. We will let you know in advance if you have any out-of-pocket costs.

Treatment fees

Your out-of-pocket treatment costs, if any, will depend on your health insurance policy level of cover. There are no further out-of-pocket treatment costs for privately insured patients to those included in your health insurance policy.

Consumable fees

Dressings and bandages provided upon discharge will be invoiced separately by the day hospital. These items cannot be claimed for reimbursement either by Medicare or your health fund.

Fees from other providers

As part of your treatment you may receive services from other services providers. This may include:

• Pathology services (e.g. blood tests
  and bone marrow biopsy)
• Radiology services (e.g. x-rays and scans)

Our administration team can help you understand what service providers are involved in your care. For further information on these fees please contact the service provider directly.

Medication fees

While chemotherapy medicines are expensive, the cost of most people’s treatment is subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and your private health insurance.
However, most medicines that you take home with you after treatment may incur a patient contribution in line with the current PBS co-payment.
To ensure our pharmacy staff bill you correctly for your medication, please bring along, if applicable, your:

• Medicare card
• Concession, pension or DVA card (if applicable)
• Health insurance card
• Safety net entitlement card
• Prescription record form – these can be obtained from our on-site pharmacy, your local pharmacy, and will help you keep track of your prescription tally for the Pharmaceutical Safety Net. You’ll need to have this form with you whenever you have a PBS medicine dispensed

Many different cancer related terms will be used by doctors and nurses throughout your treatment.

While some may be familiar, knowing the precise meaning can give you, your family and loved ones, a better understanding of your diagnosis.

At Icon Cancer Centre we respect and uphold your rights to privacy and protection. Your personal information assists us in providing you with safe and effective treatment. At your first visit your care team will discuss the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information. In addition to answering any questions you may have, we will provide you with a summary of Frequently Asked Questions relating to the collection and use of your personal information specific to our centre. If you feel your rights have been breached we encourage you to talk to a member of our team, or you can contact:
Icon Privacy Office
07 3737 4500
PO Box 3787
South Brisbane QLD 4101
privacy@iconcancercare.com.au

If you’re not satisfied with how Icon has responded to your privacy complaint you may contact the Officer of the Privacy Commissioner at oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-complaints