“In 2013 more than 100 people were treated surgically for breast cancer in the Shoalhaven Hospital,” he said, “while a number were also treated at the private hospital.

“Combined with the opening of the Shoalhaven Regional Cancer Care Centre for those receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy treatment, everyone is benefiting from the assembled expertise in the hospital precinct.”

It is almost 12 months since the cancer centre took its first patients.

Professor Jones said the figures of those treated showed their care was similar to the best care documented in breast services throughout Australia.

“For example the mastectomy rate now is 40 per cent, five years ago it was 80 per cent – that is a dramatic change,” he said.

“Patients now have a range of treatments including all aspects of surgery [total and partial mastectomy, lumpectomy and biopsies].

“Our colleagues in radiology – two main practices in Nowra and Milton-Ulladulla – provide all aspects of X-rays, ultrasound and hook-wire localisation and nuclear medicine for investigation, assisting in operations and treatment.

“The opening of the cancer centre has meant patients can get almost all their treatment locally.

“They are now given the care they deserve and demand. And we, as doctors, are proud of the fact that we can do that.”

He said all those involved in the care of the patients come together at a multi-disciplinary team meeting in the centre every fortnight. 

“This includes links to pathology at Wollongong and X-rays in Nowra and Wollongong,” he said.

“The oncologists and radiotherapists can interact with the surgeons and the clinical nurse specialists to map out the best plan for each patient.”

Professor Jones said the hospital has an extended role providing initial biopsies, breast cancer removal and then the insertion of a porta-cath – more than 55 in the last year – to assist in using intravenous chemotherapy drugs.

“To advance the care of our patients, we have to continually overcome the bias of those who cannot see that a rural centre can be a leader in the treatment of disease such as breast cancer,” he said.

“The reversal of people going to other centres, returning to the Shoalhaven, will increase the numbers in our service and will mean that there will be greater experiences of all of our care providers.”

Professor Jones said the aim was to treat all patients in the Shoalhaven and Milton-Ulladulla. 

“Our surgical and oncology-radiotherapy colleagues in Wollongong have been supportive of our growth and our patients have been included in the studies that will ultimately improve the care of all breast cancer patients in Australia and across the world,” he said.