Alison Treloar is grateful for the personal care she received while undergoing treatment for breast cancer at Bass Coast Health (BCH).

"The staff at BCH have been amazing. I think people underestimate how important it is to feel safe while you are going through cancer treatment and I always felt safe with all the staff at BCH," she said.

"I've had appointments for chemotherapy, blood drawn for tests, physiotherapy, stayed on a ward, went through emergency and had scans, and I was always treated with respect and compassion."

After 16 rounds of chemotherapy and 17 rounds of immunotherapy at the L Rigby Cancer Centre at Wonthaggi Hospital, Alison was relieved to receive the full suite of cancer care at Wonthaggi.

"Being able to have treatment near home was amazing and the staff at the L Rigby Centre are the most beautiful people," she said.

"I felt so lucky to have been able to access such wonderful medical treatment locally. Not having to travel removed another element of stress and anxiety from my treatment."

Awareness

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BCH is continuing to help lessen the physical and emotional impacts faced by breast cancer patients and their families by alleviating their need to travel further for treatment.

BCH offers the full suite of breast cancer care, from consultations through to surgery and chemotherapy. BCH's partnership with Alfred Health enables patients to see first-class Oncologists from Alfred

Health at Wonthaggi Hospital and undergo surgery in the new state-of-the-art hospital.

Patients receive chemotherapy and immunotherapy at the L Rigby Centre, a dedicated cancer and infusion service.

BCH is also fortunate to have the services of McGrath Breast Care Nurse Taryn Robinson, funded by the McGrath Foundation, to support, inform and help patients undergoing breast cancer treatment.
Alison knows the value of Taryn's services and expertise firsthand.

"Tarryn is the most amazing advocate I could have asked for, from chasing up appointments with other hospitals, to helping organise care within BCH, to just being a friendly ear when you don't even know you need it," Alison said.

"She is a huge asset to BCH and to all breast cancer patients going through treatment there. She understands that treatment doesn't finish with the last chemo, or radiation or surgery; it is an ongoing journey of appointments, with anxiety and a whole lot of questions.

"Taryn is amazingly empathetic, knowledgeable and is 100 per cent there for her patients. She has made my cancer treatment easier and added quite a few laughs along the way."
Taryn said, "While patients are coming to terms with their diagnosis and treatment, I'm able to help them and their families by coordinating their medical care, explaining their treatment and offering advice."

Taryn is part of a multi-disciplinary team at BCH that includes Breast Surgeons Dr Sarah Birks and Dr Chandika Wewelwala, Medical Oncologists, a Radiation Oncologist, Lymphedema Physiotherapist Michelle McMahon, other Allied Health professionals and the L Rigby Centre team.

Wonthaggi Hospital also offers breast screening by Breast Screen Victoria onsite. Taryn's services are free and can be accessed through self-referral - without a doctor's referral. Taryn can be contacted on taryn.robinson@basscoasthealth.org.au or 0417 552 327.

For more information, see www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au