Receiving a diagnosis of cancer can be overwhelming. Knowing you have options in choosing a cancer service for your treatment gives you peace of mind

Shepparton Private Hospital offers you the best in personalised cancer care. With a treatment plan tailored to your needs and a network of coordinated support services, our experienced team is ready to help you along every step of the cancer pathway.

Members of your care team

Because all cancers are different, everyone’s cancer pathway is different. You may meet a variety of healthcare professionals during, between and after your cancer treatment.

Your team will include doctors (medical oncologists), nurses, allied health professionals, and may include other specialists relevant to your needs. We will assess your needs and ensure that a tailored team is assembled for you.

Depending on the type of cancer you have, you will also meet doctors who specialise in treating your specific condition.

Cancer specialities

• Blood (Lymphoma, Leukaemia & Myeloma)
• Bone
• Melanoma & Skin Cancer
• Pancreatic
• Urological (including kidney, bladder, testicular & prostate)
• Bowel & colorectal
• Breast
• Gastrointestinal
• Gynaecological

Find a cancer specialist >

Cancer treatments

Surgery

Surgery may be used to remove a cancer tumour from your body or repair the part of your body affected by cancer. If surgery is required it is performed by a surgeon and our surgeons work very closely with our oncologists.

Surgery may be the only treatment that you need however it can also be used in combination with other treatments, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiotherapy.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses medicine to destroy fast growing cells in your body – such as cancer cells. Chemotherapy may also target other fast-growing cells such as blood cells, skin and hair cells, and the cells lining your mouth and gut.

Chemotherapy can be given as a tablet, as an injection under the skin or through an infusion into your vein.

A medical oncologist is an expert in chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy and targeted therapy

Immunotherapy activates your body’s own immune system to seek out and destroy cancer cells. Targeted therapy blocks the growth of cancer by interfering with specific gene mutations that allow cancers to grow.

Both immunotherapy and targeted therapy travel through your blood steam to treat cancer cells throughout your body, with limited impact on other cells.

A medical oncologist is an expert in immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

Getting a referral

For most people, a General Practitioner (GP) is the first health professional you will see if you are worried about a sign or symptom of cancer.  

Your GP plays a critical role in assessing your symptoms, undertaking initial investigations, and referring you on to a cancer specialist who will confirm your diagnosis and oversee your treatment.

For a personalised and holistic cancer care experience, ask your GP to refer you to a cancer specialist at Shepparton Private Hospital. You can find a list of specialists who treat your type of cancer at Shepparton Private Hospital in our directory.

The first cancer specialist that you are referred to may be a surgeon or a medical oncologist, depending on the type of cancer you have and your initial test results.

You will see your specialist in their private consulting rooms You may need to undergo additional tests or procedures to confirm your diagnosis. 

Most cancer specialists at Shepparton Private Hospital are part of a multidisciplinary team. Your specialist will discuss your test results and diagnosis with the team, and they will work together to determine the best treatment and supportive care plan for you.