Mildura Health Private Hospital (MHPH) has announced the launch of a new service targeted at improving breast health outcomes for women living in Mildura and its surrounding areas.

The Mildura Health Breast Unit will offer women a comprehensive service for the management of breast diseases, from diagnosis and personalised treatment through to recovery and ongoing review.

Chief Executive of MHPH, Mr. Marcus Guthrie, said the introduction of the Unit is a huge advance for women across the region, allowing for local care and proactive health management.

“Early detection is key to effective treatment of breast diseases such as cancer and this Unit will make it easier for women to monitor their health and access advanced care easily, without the need for travelling to the city.”

The Unit will be supported by the expertise of Melbourne-based specialists who will consult and operate through the Private Hospital. “We will commence the Unit with three specialists, but this will increase as demand grows. It’s important to note the exceptional work of local general surgeons over many years, however, our data highlights that a significant number of women are still leaving the region for breast surgery,” Mr. Guthrie said. The three initial consulting specialists, Dr. Su Wen Loh, Dr. Jenny Huynh and Dr. Peter Newton, all have extensive experience in breast health.

Dr. Loh has been at the forefront of breast cancer treatment and research for several years; he is a foundation member of Breast Surgeons Australia-New Zealand and is the Director of Breast and Surgical Oncology at the Austin Hospital and Olivia Newton John Cancer Centre. He is also the Director of Breast Surgery at the Melbourne Breast Unit.

Dr. Huynh completed her General Surgery training at Royal Melbourne Hospital and has experience in both breast and thyroid surgery. She currently leads at the Melanoma Clinic at the Austin Hospital.

A Breast Surgeon Australia-New Zealand oncoplastic surgeon, Dr. Newton has worked across Australia and will offer Mildura women world-leading surgical techniques to ensure they are receiving the best treatment available.

In addition to the surgical consultants, the Mildura Health Breast Unit will offer the services of renown genetics professor, Jasmina Bojadzieva.

“Jasmina is passionate about women being supported to make informed decisions about their own healthcare,” Mr. Guthrie said.

“Consulting through this Unit, she will help give patients and family members peace of mind and access to proactive health management.”

The Unit will deliver centralised coordination of breast healthcare, and Mr. Guthrie said this means local women will have timely access to diagnostic and treatment services, including nuclear medicine and surgery, and to a team who can offer support and care management in between oncology, surgical, inpatient and outpatient care.

“The commencement of the Mildura Health Breast Unit will mean more women can receive the care they need locally, without the disruption that historically has been associated with a breast disease diagnosis.

“We know the best outcomes come from early detection and treatment, so having access to services, without the need for travel and the costs and strain that causes, will undoubtedly offer a better pathway to care and recovery.”

Appointments at the Mildura Breast Health Unit can be made by calling 03 50 222 631 and will require a referral from a doctor which can be accepted by emailing consulting@mildpriv.com.au