Day Oncology
There are two Cabrini Day Oncology Units – at Malvern and at Brighton. Your doctor will arrange treatment at the appropriate facility. Family members are very welcome at both Units.
Day Oncology at Malvern
8.00 am – 5.30 pm Monday to Friday
Tel: (03) 9508 1222
Day Oncology at Brighton
8.00 am – 5.30 pm Monday to Friday
Tel: (03) 9508 5656
In an outpatient setting, both Units provide chemotherapy and supportive treatments for patients with cancer.
The team caring for you, apart from your doctor, include Patient Services, Pastoral Services, Dietetics, Pharmacy and Nursing.
Prior to your treatment
Unless given specific instruction, there is no preparation necessary prior to your treatment. Please eat and drink fluids as you would normally.
On arrival (depending on where you will receive treatment) please report to the Reception Desk in the Day Oncology Unit at Malvern and at the Main Reception Desk at Cabrini Brighton.
Your chemotherapy treatment
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs called ‘cytotoxics’ which kill and/or inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Different drugs are used in various combinations depending on the type of cancer.
Prior to your first treatment, the nurse will give you information regarding the particular chemotherapy drugs your doctor has prescribed for you, possible side-effects and how to manage them.
Depending on the drug, chemotherapy can be given orally, intravenously (into a vein), intra-arterially (into the artery) or directly into a body cavity such as the bladder. The majority of treatments are given intravenously.
The time you spend for each session will vary according to the type of chemotherapy treatment.
Apheresis
The Apheresis Unit is located within Day Oncology at Cabrini Hospital Malvern.
Apheresis is a medical procedure that involves removing some components from your blood. Depending on the condition being treated, components are either removed from your blood, or replaced with similar components, or components are removed and stored for later use or discarded.
Your doctor will explain the procedure to you and discuss the expected benefits.
