Doctor flying in to help cut wait
A SPECIALIST is being flown from Brisbane to Cairns to help fast-track breast reconstructive surgery for several Far Northern women, including some who have waited up to seven years for an operation.
It comes as another woman who is awaiting reconstructive surgery has been left in the dark about when she will have a temporary chest implant removed.
Yorkeys Knob resident Kerrie Bangoura is one of the several local women who have waited more than 12 months for surgery, after being diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing a mastectomy.
Ms Bangoura was fitted eight months ago with a tissue expander in preparation for breast reconstructive surgery and was told by her doctor she would need the device out within 12 months.
However, she said she still had not been given a date to be assessed for an operation.
“I feel like they’re going to make me sick, leaving this (implant) in,” she said.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service administrator Terry Mehan said the waiting list for plastic and reconstructive surgery was one of the most “challenging” delays to tackle.
“We are very aware of the situation the women are in and we are looking at every option,” he said.
He said several hospitals in Queensland had similar difficulties with long plastic and reconstructive appointment waiting list times.
“We’ve rung everywhere around Queensland (for help),” he said.
“I can’t call on people at the Royal Brisbane or the Princess Alexandra; they’re in the same situation.”
CHHHS is in the process of recruiting a full-time plastic and reconstruction specialist from Europe to replace a surgeon who recently resigned.
The new surgeon is not expected to start work in Cairns until the end of the year.
In the meantime, four women on the long-wait list were informed yesterday they would meet with a specialist from Brisbane on May 19.
The women’s advocate, Atherton-based breast cancer survivor Gayle Samuel, said it was a fantastic result for them.
“Hopefully, these lovely ladies that have been waiting up to seven years for reconstruction will soon have their dream come true,” she said.