Icon Warrnambool team provide home away from home for Jane

Travelling for treatment can add additional strain to those affected by cancer

Mount Gambier resident, Jane knows this first-hand.

In July 2023, Jane was diagnosed with stage 1, grade 3 breast cancer after discovering a lump in her breast earlier that year.

“While the diagnosis was shocking, it wasn’t completely unexpected, as I had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma 20 years earlier and had been cautioned about the potential risk of developing breast cancer later on,” says 46-year-old Jane. “The most challenging aspect of my diagnosis was informing my husband, two teenage daughters and other family members, knowing they would share in the worry and stress of my situation.”

Following her diagnosis, Jane had a partial mastectomy to remove the lump, followed by four cycles of chemotherapy and five weeks of radiation therapy.

With no radiation therapy services in Mount Gambier, Jane was given the choice to have her treatment in Warrnambool or Adelaide.

“Given the closer proximity of Warrnambool to my home, I chose to travel there for my treatment,” Jane said of the two-and-a-half-hour drive from her home to Warrnambool. “Although it is possible to travel back and forth between Mount Gambier and Warrnambool in one day, it made more sense for me to stay in Warrnambool during the week for treatment. The team at Icon Cancer Centre Warrnambool understood my travel needs and scheduled a late appointment for me on Monday and an early appointment on Friday, allowing me to maximise my time at home.

Jane is full of praise when asked about her treatment at Icon Cancer Centre Warrnambool.

“I feel extremely grateful for the care I received at Icon Cancer Centre Warrnambool. The facilities were outstanding, but what stood out even more was how the staff became like friends by the end of my treatment,” says Jane.

Jane is now on hormone therapy to reduce the risk of her cancer returning. With her chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatment behind her, she is “doing the things I love and living with no regrets.”

“I am trying to make the most of every opportunity and spend as much time with the people I love,” says Jane. “I enjoy walking while listening to podcasts and attending live music concerts. I am so grateful to be back doing the things I enjoy most.”

The content on the Icon Cancer Centre website is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified medical practitioner. For personalised medical guidance, please consult with your GP or another qualified healthcare provider.