Frenchs Forest (Oncology)
Overview
Centre leader
Kerryn Miller
The compassionate Frenchs Forest team is dedicated to helping provide personalised, high-quality integrated cancer care to the Northern Beaches community.
Services
GenesisCare, Frenchs Forest offers access to evidence-based cancer care services including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, haematology, and radiation therapy.
At GenesisCare, we aim to offer an integrated, personalised care experience designed to help you achieve the best possible clinical outcomes close to home.
GenesisCare, Frenchs Forest is located nearby Northern Beaches Hospital. Our team is dedicated to offering the Northern Beaches community evidence-based treatments delivered in a multidisciplinary care environment.
Care is managed by a passionate team of specialist healthcare professionals with experience in oncology including: medical oncologists, haematologists, radiation oncologists, clinical nurse consultants (CNC), nursing team, and a dedicated team of support staff.
Patients are offered access to free onsite parking (during treatment), preferred appointment times, coffee is available in the waiting room, and onsite facilities in the building include pathology and diagnostic imaging.
Our treatments and services
Radiation oncology
Radiation therapy uses high energy X-rays or other particles to treat cancer and can be used at all stages. Radiation therapy techniques can include Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR), Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT), and Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH).
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is an approach to cancer therapy which involves the administration of medicine, usually orally or by injection, which is intended to kill cancer cells or minimise their growth and spread. Chemotherapy can be used in conjunction with other cancer treatments.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that is intended to help your own immune system fight cancer. There are different types of immunotherapy for cancer that work in different ways.
Haematology
Haematology is the medical speciality relating to conditions that affect the blood, and the organs that make the blood as well as cancers of the blood. A Haematologist will look after patients requiring specialist advice for bleeding disorders, or blood cancers, and may prescribe chemotherapy as a treatment option. The Haematologist, may also refer to other specialists participating in the multi-disciplinary team, for instance a Radiation Oncologist if radiotherapy treatment is advised.
Clinical trials
At GenesisCare, we challenge ourselves every day to help find new and better ways to provide high-quality care, and we aim to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients wherever we can.
Our Frenchs Forest team may be able to offer you access to the GenesisCare global network of clinical trials. For further information on clinical trial participation, please speak with your treating doctor.
Allied Health Services
At GenesisCare, Frenchs Forest we offer you access to a range of Allied health services, all tailored to support your needs. One of your treatment team will discuss the most suitable options with you, and if required can arrange a referral. Support services offered may include:
- Dietitian
- Psychologist
- Exercise Physiologist
- Lymphoedema Specialist
Exercise Medicine
Considerable research and clinical evidence has established that exercise may be beneficial for people with cancer; however, there is no one-size-fits-all approach.1,2 Every person’s circumstances are unique and these should be take into account. Tailored exercise programs designed by an exercise professional that include both aerobic and resistance training activities have been shown to provide benefits.3 To learn more about incorporating exercise during your cancer journey, please speak with your doctor and treatment team.
The Infusion Suite
Our Frenchs Forest centre offers patients access to:
- Refreshments and snacks provided
- WiFi access available at this centre
Free patient parking is available onsite for the duration of treatment.
Public transport is available with a bus stop located on Frenchs Forest Road opposite Hurdis Avenue or Frenchs Forest at Romford Road stop.
Doctors
Dr Dasantha Jayamanne
BSc (Med Sci), MBBS, Dip Pall Care, PhD candidate, FRANZCR
Radiation Oncologist
Frenchs Forest (Oncology) +1
Dr Victoria Pechey
MBBS BSci (Med) Honours UNSW, FRACP, FRCPA
Haematologist
Frenchs Forest (Oncology) +1
- Campbell KL, Winters-Stone KM, Wiskemann J, et al. Exercise guidelines for cancer survivors: Consensus statement from international multidisciplinary roundtable. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2019;51(11):2375–2390.
- Hayes SC, Newton RU, Spence RR, et al. The Exercise and Sports Science Australia position statement: Exercise medicine in cancer management. J Sci Med Sport 2019;22(11):1175–1199.
- Buffart LM, Kalter J, Sweegers MG, et al. Effects and moderators of exercise on quality of life and physical function in patients with cancer: An individual patient data meta-analysis of 34 RCTs. Cancer Treat Rev 2017;52:91–104.