In medicine, a late effect is a condition that appears after the acute phase of an earlier condition has run its course.
A late effect can be caused directly by the earlier condition, or indirectly by the treatment for the earlier condition. Some late effects can occur decades later.
It is estimated that one in 1,000 20-year-olds in Australia are survivors of childhood cancer. These patients frequently face medical and social difficulties into their adult life as a result of late effects of their cancer treatments.
About Peter Mac’s (Paediatric and) Late Effects Service
Peter Mac’s Late Effects Service helps people who have undergone curative treatment for cancer, to remain as healthy as possible throughout their lives. This includes survivors of childhood cancers who require long-term surveillance in order to improve their mental, physical and general well-being.
Peter Mac’s Late Effects Service was the first adult clinic of its kind established in Australia. It provides ongoing review by a team of specialists from multiple disciplines and promotes healthy living through patient education and management of potential consequences of cancer treatment.
As a tertiary training institution, education is a primary focus for Peter Mac. During your time at Peter Mac, you will meet health professionals training at varies stages of education. Your care will always be delivered under the direct supervision of senior specialist staff.
LIVING WITH the effects of CANCER
We know how hard cancer and treatment can be. Your lifestyle and that of your loved one's will be disrupted and changed. It is common to struggle with ongoing concerns about cancer and therapy. There are many expert groups available to support you, including:
PATIENT AND CARER RESOURCES
For more information about the late effects of cancer download a copy of the Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre's
resource.Clinical trials
Peter Mac supports and recommends all patients consider participation in appropriate, ethically approved clinical trials.
For GPs
Peter Mac’s Late Effects Service works in conjunction with the patient’s GPs to provide ongoing screening and surveillance of the possible long-term effects of cancer and its treatment.
Download a copy of the Late Effects of Cancer Treatment Screening and Surveillance Guidelines for GPs
Referral information
The Late Effects Service is open to any person over the age of 18 whose course of received chemotherapy, radiation therapy and/or surgery as a curative treatment for cancer was completed a minimum of five years previous.
Your general practitioner or specialist will organise referrals to Peter Mac’s Late Effects Service or you can contact the service directly for more information or advice.
Visit the referrals page for further information.
Clinic times
Late Effects clinics run at Melbourne each Thursday afternoon and twice a year in Bendigo and Hobart.
Contact
Natalie Goroncy, Nurse Coordinator, Late Effects Service
Phone: (03) 8559 7856
Email: [email protected]
