Multidisciplinary teams for early breast cancer

Managing and treating breast cancer is complex. You will need several specialists working in a multidisciplinary team.

When you have multidisciplinary care, medical and allied health professionals look at all relevant treatment options. Together, they discuss and develop the best individual treatment plan for you.

A multidisciplinary team is the best practice approach in Australia.

Who is in a multidisciplinary team

The people you need in your care team depends on:

• your type of breast cancer
• the treatment and care you are having
• where you live (city, rural or remote).

Find out who is in your team and how to find them at Your medical team for early breast cancer.

They may also refer you to other (‘allied’) health professionals if you need. These could include physiotherapists, lymphoedema therapists or dietitians.

Read about these roles at Allied health care for early breast cancer.

How the team works together

The multidisciplinary model encourages open, honest and regular communication. This is the foundation of good treatment and care.

You may have different professionals treating you at different times. In some treatment centres, your team will meet regularly to discuss your progress and decide on treatment recommendations.

If your team members are not based in the same place, which often happens in rural areas, they may join team meetings via video or phone.

If you are unsure about whether your specialists are working in a multidisciplinary team, you can ask a member of your treating team.

What to expect from your team

Meeting a lot of different health professionals can be overwhelming but you will usually have one main contact person to answer your questions.

This person may change at different points during your treatment. If you are unsure of who your main contact is, ask any member of your team.

You may want to know when they are having planned meetings. This way, you know when they may ask you to think about treatment recommendations.

While you may be referred to a particular specialist, you have a choice in who you see. You can also ask for a second opinion. If you had early breast cancer previously, you may want to choose a different team for your latest treatment. Read Getting a second opinion for advice.

Resources

Podcast: Forged in Fire: Relationships with your Medical Team and Self-advocacy

Webcast: Just diagnosed in 2022, what’s next?

Podcast: Just diagnosed - what's next?

Podcast: Communicating with your health professionals

Podcast: Money and the Australian healthcare system