In July 2023, Jane was diagnosed with stage 1, grade 3 breast cancer after discovering a lump in her breast earlier that year.
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 firsthand.
“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.
“Being away from my family was extremely challenging. While I was away, my daughters started the school year and not being there to support them was difficult. There was the obvious financial strain, with travel and accommodation costs. However, I was able to access the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme, which the Icon Cancer Centre Warrnambool team organised for me, before I even had to ask.”
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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.
“I was always greeted with warmth, and the entire team – from administration to doctors to radiation therapists – went above and beyond to ensure that I and the other patients were well cared for and supported. I never felt like just another patient to them. Although being away from home and loved ones was difficult, I have many wonderful memories from my time in Warrnambool.”
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.”
No private health insurance is required to access treatment at Icon Cancer Centre Warrnambool, with free care for all Medicare eligible patients.
Find out more about Icon Cancer Centre Warrnambool here.
Become a patient
Find out how to become a patient at Icon Cancer Centre, or request more information from your nearest centre.
Download your free Breast Cancer Treatment Guide
Be informed, feel empowered. Our free guide will help you make decisions about your, or your loved ones, care.
Breast cancer
Learn more about breast cancer in Australia, including signs and symptoms, stages and frequently asked questions.
Understanding treatment
There are many different treatment options for breast cancer. Find out more about common treatments for breast cancer here.