Nepean Public Breast Clinic celebrates milestone 10-year anniversary
This year, the Nepean Public Breast Clinic proudly celebrated its 10-year anniversary, marking a decade of innovative, compassionate, and patient-centred breast cancer care for women across the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District.
Pictured: Nepean Cancer and Wellness Centre staff
Founded in 2015, the clinic was established to address the growing need for accessible, multidisciplinary care in the public health system. Led by Dr. Deborah Cheung, Clinical Head of Breast and Endocrine Surgery at Nepean Hospital, and supported by Breast Care Nurse Sarah McGuire, the clinic has evolved from a small service for surgical patients into a comprehensive care centre.
“We wanted to create a service that truly centred around the patient—not just treating cancer but caring for the whole person. Ten years later, that mission still drives everything we do,” says Deborah.
A standout innovation at the clinic is its early use of PET scans for breast cancer staging, making Nepean Hospital the first in NSW to implement this technology routinely.
“With PET scans, we can stage cancer more accurately and make better-informed decisions from the start.”
The clinic is also a leader in immediate breast reconstruction, offering this service to younger patients navigating the emotional and physical challenges of a diagnosis. Deborah explains offering reconstruction at the time of surgery can make a profound difference to a patient’s recovery and quality of life.
Beyond medical care, Breast Care Nurses, Sarah, Bianca and Bec provide ongoing emotional and psychological care.
Pictured from left to right: Breast Care Nurses, Sarah McGuire and Bianca Dobbins-Jones
“We’re with women through every step—diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and beyond. Our role is to provide holistic care that addresses both the physical and emotional challenges of breast cancer, ensuring no one must face it alone,” says Sarah.
The clinic’s growing reputation for compassionate care has led to an increasing number of patients from regional and rural areas seeking treatment. The recently launched online Breast Cancer Hub further extends its reach, offering trusted information, resources, and support to patients at every stage of their journey.
Looking ahead, Deborah, Sarah and the Nepean Public Breast Clinic team are committed to further enhancing personalised care and raising awareness about breast health in the community.
“Celebrating 10 years is a testament to the trust and resilience of our patients. We’re honoured to be part of so many women’s stories, and we look forward to continuing to make a real difference in their lives for years to come,” says Deborah.