Bringing cancer care closer to home

Nancy Matthews wishes she could have had all her cancer treatment so close to home.

The 86-year-old receives most of her care at The Bays Hospital in Mornington, but had to go to Frankston every Monday to Friday for three weeks of radiation therapy.

It was only about 15 kilometres away but the trip increased the unpleasant side-effects she already had to deal with.

"Because I had to have my arms above my head for radiation treatment, it was much more painful than I'd expected, as it stirred up the arthritis in my shoulder and caused severe muscle spasms," she said.

"My husband Richard had prostate cancer 12 years ago and he used to drive himself in for radiation therapy, so I wasn't expecting it to be so difficult, but I felt dreadful."

By the end of 2024, Mornington Peninsula residents like Mrs Matthews will no longer need to travel far from home for radiation therapy as it will be offered at the new Cancer Care Centre being built at The Bays Hospital.

"If it was opened back when Richard had cancer, he could have just walked the 10 minutes from our home!" she said.

"I'm so thankful I only had to go as far as The Bays for my surgeries and chemotherapy treatment. It was tremendous having such a short drive, and made it easier for my family and friends who took me."

Construction started onthe new centrein October, and when it opens it will also feature research facilities for clinical trials, a wellness and education centre, consulting suites, and a wig library.

With around two in five people expected to be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, according to Cancer Australia, the new centre will help the hospital meet rising demand for oncology services.

"While our new Cancer Care Centre will expand our service to include more life-saving treatments, our focus will also be on being proactive about prevention and providing cancer screening services," said Jade Phelan, CEO of The Bays Healthcare Group.

The centre has received some Federal Government funding, but the independent, not-for-profit private hospital still needs community and philanthropic support to help complete the project.

Mrs Matthews, who was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer at the start of 2023, thanked the staff at The Bays Hospital for helping her get through the hardest parts of her treatment.

"Unfortunately I suffered terrible side effects from the radiotherapy. When I attended The Bays Day Infusion in the afternoon for my intravenous Herceptin treatment, nurse Marnie Paulberg was concerned that my blood pressure was very high," she said.

"Marnie was so empathic and put me on a pain regime that made it bearable, and I didn't have muscle spasms anymore. It was wonderful that she treated me for a problem that wasn't even caused by the treatment she was giving me.

"The McGrath Breast Care Nurses at The Bays were also terrific. I wish I could have had all my treatment at The Bays."

Mrs Matthews has decided against having further chemotherapy but will continue with Herceptin treatment until February 2024.

"After my second surgery I was offered more chemotherapy, but I declined because it was extremely challenging," she said.

"I'm 86 years of age so I have to be prepared to have a shorter life, and quality of life is very important."

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