The role of your GP in your cancer care

Your General Practitioner (GP) is very important to us at the Northern Cancer Service and we consider them to be a key part of your health care team.

GP’s play a key role in the screening, prevention and ongoing care of people with cancer in our local community.

GP’s are often the first point of contact for people with possible cancer symptoms and are commonly the first health care professionals to discuss a potential cancer diagnosis. Your GP will also support you by discussing treatment options, including referring you for further advice, investigations and treatment to other medical specialists, like surgeons or oncologists.

When you come to see a doctor at the Northern Cancer Service you will need a referral from your GP or another specialist. We will always send a letter back to your GP and other specialists, informing them of the results of any tests, including your diagnosis and the plan of care, which will be made in discussion with you and your family.

It’s important to let us know if you change GP’s or you think some important information is not getting through.

It’s important to keep in touch with your GP during and after your cancer treatment:

• To monitor any other medical conditions you may have.
• To provide prescriptions for your ongoing medications.
• To access screening for other types of illnesses (i.e. bowel cancer screening).

GP’s play a key role in providing support with advanced care planning and family support. GP’s also provide symptom management and surveillance in partnership with your oncologist following your cancer treatment.

Some patients are eligible for chronic care plans.  These plans provide some government-funded access to allied health services in the community such as physiotherapy, psychology and podiatry services. To find out if you are eligible, speak to your GP.

The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Victoria also provides some further information about the role of your GP in your cancer care.