Waikato Business News August/September 2023

18 WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023
October is breast cancer awareness month
Breast cancer is the most common
cancer in New Zealand women. One
in nine women will get breast cancer
over their lifetime.
In the Waikato, more than
400 women, and in NZ,
over 3000 women are diagnosed
each year. Sadly each
year in NZ, we lose 600-700 of
our loved ones to this disease -
more than our annual road toll.
There are women diagnosed in
their early 20s right through
to their 90s. Although it is less
common, men can also get
breast cancer, with 20-30 NZ
men diagnosed annually.
Breast cancer isn’t just one
disease, there are many different
types. Thanks to research,
modern-day treatment and care
is tailored to the type of breast
cancer, as well as the wishes of
each individual woman diagnosed.
Tailoring of treatment
and care has been made possible
through research advances.
Improving cancer patient
outcomes through
research
The Breast Cancer Research
Trust is our local charitable
trust which enables funding
for clinical trials and research.
Trust chair Professor Ian
Campbell says the vision of the
& APPEARANCE MEDICINE CLINIC
DERMATOLOGY, VASCULAR, PLASTIC SURGERY,
GYNAECOLOGY & APPEARANCE
DERMATOLOGISTS
MEDICINE CLINIC
“The lotus flower has
been traditionally regarded
“The lotus flower has been
as a symbol of regeneration,
traditionally regarded as a
healing and enduring beauty.
symbol of regeneration, healing
Make an appointment with
and enduring beauty. Make an
one of our highly skilled
appointment with one of our
specialists today and let us
highly skilled specialists today
and let us help you achieve your
help you achieve your health
health and beauty goals this
and beauty goals this year...
so as the lotus flower,
you can blossom too.”
trust is to gain knowledge and
save lives, and the mission is
to improve breast cancer outcomes
for patients through
research.
Campbell has led many
Waikato-based breast cancer
clinical trials over the past
25 years. Waikato has been a
centre for over 50 studies and
clinical trials introducing new
surgeries, radiotherapy techniques,
drug treatments and
devices. The trust also enables
research for better quality of
life, reduced side effects and
better communication of complex
treatment options.
Research examples enabled
by the trust include:
i) Using a sophisticated laboratory
test that examines
50 different aspects of a
tumour, the result of this
test indicates the risk of
breast cancer recurrence. In
women with very low risk
of recurrence, this test may
help doctors in the future to
select women who can safely
avoid radiation therapy (and
after breast cancer surgery.
Cosmetic and Reconstructive
Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic surgery
Adult and Paediatric Dermatology
Adult and Paediatric Dermatology
Vascular Surgery and
Ultrasound Scanning
Vascular Surgery and Ultrasound Scanning
Appearance Medicine
Gynaecology and fertility specialist
Cutera Appearance Laser Skin Medicine Rejuvenation
and Re-surfacing
year...
So as the lotus flower, you can
blossom too”
Cutera Laser Skin Rejuvenation
IPL Treatments Beauty Therapy
Beauty Therapy Treatments
Medical Tattooing
ii) Waikato researchers are
currently partnering with
the Breast Cancer Foundation
NZ to introduce
(via research) a technology
for women with advanced
breast cancer (ABC). The
“ABCpro study” is introducing
electronic reporting of
symptoms and treatment
DERMATOLOGY,
its associated side-effects) side
VASCULAR,
effects for women livfort
she
PLASTIC
is experiencing. provided
SURGERY
her with a sense of
ing with this incurable form
Medical Tattooing
of breast cancer. Participating
women complete a
weekly online survey and
report on their symptoms
and side effects. If there is
a deterioration in either,
an email alert is sent to an
ABC nurse, who then contacts
the woman to discuss
how to manage the discom-
The aim of the “ABCpro
study” is to be more proactive
in managing symptoms
and side effects, to improve
quality of life, and reduce
hospital admissions and
urgent health reviews.
Local Hamilton woman
Huia is taking part in the ABCpro
study, and she says this has
support and peace of mind.
Marius Rademaker BM, FRCP, FRACP, DM
Amanda Oakley MBChB, FRACP, DipHealInf
Sarah Hill MBchB, DERMATOLOGIST
FRACP
Sarah Hill MBchB, FRACP
VASCULAR SURGEONS
“For me, being a participant
in the ABC study
meant that I was going to
receive extra immediate care
and support. It feels like a
wrap-around service.”
The ABC tool has enabled
Huia to connect with an ABC
nurse who provides her with
ideas to help self-manage
her symptoms and any side
effects.
“I’ve built a really good
rapport with my nurse, which
has been great.”
Additionally, the ABC tool
has aided Huia in connecting
with specialists such as a
physiotherapist, lymphedema
nurse, and a dietitian, contributing
to a better quality of life.
Huia speaks highly of the
ABCpro study and the important
role the regular surveys
have played in helping her
monitor and manage her
symptoms and side effects.
An initial analysis of
patient feedback shows this
is an easy-to-use survey tool
that alerts a nurse to symptom
issues. This has overall
helped patients feel they could
carry on their life “as normal”,
with some control over
their symptoms and knowing
support was available when
needed. These factors reduce
anxiety and improve quality of
life, enabling ABC patients to
maintain a positive mindset.
David Ferrar VASCULAR MBChB, FRCS, SURGEON FRACS (Vascular), DDU (Vascular)
David Ferrar MBChB, FRCS, FRACS (VASCULAR), DDU
Thodur Vasudevan FRACS (Vasc), FRACS (Gen), FRCS
(VASCULAR)
Paul Haggart MBChB MD, BSc, FRCS
Paul Haggart MB, ChB, MD, BSc, FRCS
COSMETIC
COSMETIC
& RECONSTRUCTIVE
AND RECONSTRUCTIVE
PLASTIC SURGEONS
Stuart McNicoLL PLASTIC MBChB, SURGEONS FRACS (Plastics)
Ahmed Alkadhi Stuart MBChB, McNicoLL FRACS MBChB, (Plastics) FRACS (Plastics)
Michael Woodfield Ahmed MBChB, Alkadhi MBChB, FRACS FRACS (Plastics) (Plastics)
Brandon Adams Michael MBChB, Woodfield FRACS MBChB, (Plastics) FRACS (Plastics)
Arthur Yang MBChB, FRACS (Plastics)
Arthur Yang MBChB FRACS (Plastics)
APPEARANCE
GYNAECOLOGIST
MEDICINE
Laura Miller BM, PaDipOMG, MRMed, FRANZCOG
Sonya Ferguson App Medicine Nurse RCompN
Pip Walker BBMedSci, MBChB, FRANZCOG, AGES certified
Stella Wilkins App Medicine Nurse RCompN
Madeleine McNicoLL APPEARANCE App Medicine MEDICINE Nurse RCompN
Sonya Ferguson App Medicine Nurse RCompN
Megan Lyons Laser Therapist
Stella Wilkins App Medicine Nurse RCompN
Debbie Casson
Madeleine
Cosmetic
McNicoLL
Tattooing
App Medicine Nurse RCompN
Juliette Smith Megan Beauty Lyons Therapist Laser Therapy
Debbie Casson Cosmetic Tattooing
CALL US TODAY FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT
p 07 838 1035 e appts@tristramclinic.co.nz 200 Collingwood St, Hamilton www.tristramclinic.co.nz