Why focused breast surgery matters

Contemporary breast cancer care for the Darling Downs, with Dr Peter O’Donohue.

Breast cancer care continues to evolve. Advances in surgical techniques, multidisciplinary care and reconstruction have changed not only how breast cancer is treated, but also how patients experience their treatment and recovery.
For GPs, understanding the value of referral to a surgeon with a focused practice in breast disease can help ensure patients receive comprehensive information and access to the full range of contemporary surgical options.

A focused breast surgery practice

Dr Peter O’Donohue is a Specialist General Surgeon with a focused clinical practice in breast cancer surgery, oncoplastic breast surgery, and melanoma.

As a Full Member of Breast Surgeons of Australia and New Zealand (BreastSurgANZ), Dr O’Donohue is part of a professional organisation dedicated to advancing standards in breast surgery through education, continuing professional development and multidisciplinary collaboration.

BreastSurgANZ members are committed to maintaining contemporary knowledge and practice in breast disease management and working within multidisciplinary breast cancer teams.

What is oncoplastic breast surgery?

Oncoplastic breast surgery combines the principles of safe cancer surgery with reconstructive techniques designed to optimise breast shape and symmetry where appropriate.

For suitable patients, oncoplastic techniques may:

• facilitate breast conservation in selected cases,
• improve cosmetic outcomes following tumour excision,
• reduce breast deformity after surgery, and
• integrate immediate implant-based reconstruction following mastectomy where appropriate.

Importantly, the goal remains complete cancer removal while also considering long-term function, appearance and quality of life.

Reconstruction should be discussed early

Reconstruction is not simply an option after mastectomy, it is an important component of surgical planning.

Early discussion allows patients to understand:

• Breast-conserving surgery versus mastectomy
• Immediate versus delayed reconstruction
• Implant-based reconstruction
• Autologous reconstruction pathways
• Likely adjuvant therapy considerations.

Dr O’Donohue performs implant-based breast reconstruction as part of his oncoplastic practice. For patients who elect autologous reconstruction, he works collaboratively with specialist plastic surgeons to ensure patients have access to the full range of reconstructive options.

Local expertise for regional patients

Access to contemporary breast cancer surgery should not be limited by geography.

By providing focused breast surgical expertise in Toowoomba, Dr O’Donohue enables patients from across the Darling Downs and surrounding regions to access specialist assessment, treatment planning and surgery closer to home.

For patients in regional communities, telehealth consultations are available where clinically appropriate, allowing specialist review, discussion of imaging and pathology, and treatment planning without the need for unnecessary travel. When surgery is required, care can then be coordinated locally in Toowoomba.

Supporting general practice

General practitioners remain central to the diagnosis and ongoing care of patients with breast disease.

Dr O’Donohue aims to support referring clinicians through:

• Prompt review of referrals
• Timely communication
• Coordinated investigation and treatment planning
• Multidisciplinary collaboration
• Comprehensive post-operative follow-up
• Ongoing GP involvement throughout the patient’s treatment journey.

When to refer:

• Suspected or newly diagnosed breast cancer
• Abnormal imaging or biopsy results
• High risk lesions
• Consideration of oncoplastic conservation
• Implant-based reconstruction discussion
• Second opinions
• Complex benign breast disease

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