Class 1 medical after breast cancer treatment
 

Anyone got an experience of getting class 1 medical Australia after breast cancer treatment (surgery, chemo) to retain commercial licence?

For the curious and somewhat knowledgeable...DCIS, micro invasive, 50+ female. (One only spot, of bloody 0.4mm in pathology, incredibly jumps you into this 'category' of a whole bunch of 'unknows' about potential of cancer progress. Therefore treatment options have been the max to cover all bases).

Any tips for what to provide to DAME to help get good outcome would be appreciated. nb DAME is a pilot and sympathetic good guy.

ps ...its all good now. in the 83% who survive..hair back, unmanageable curls nearly gone and chardenay back on the menu. measures taken to ensure i never have to go through it again.

Koezy

While I am not an AME and I am in the UK, not Oz, I will do what I can...

Surgery - as long as you are fully recovered from the surgery and it does not cause restrictions (some breast patients have lymphoedema - swollen arm - that can restrict the use of that arm) then you should be OK from that point of view I would think.

Chemo - depends on what chemo you had, when and what effects it has had on you. From memory, the type of chemo usually used in breast patients does not have much in the way of long-term health problems. Bleomycin (used in lung and some testicular tumours for instance) can cause lung damage that then restricts your ability to absorb oxygen which causes issues when flying at altitude in unpressurised aircraft.

Long-term hormonal treatment - not sure if Tamoxifen and other hormone-modulators are permitted for pilots. You will need to check with your local AME.

Sorry I can't be more specific

HTH

BTD

As a UK (nurse) prescriber, my knowledge of tamoxifen is limited, but the patients I've seen taking this medication, seem to tolerate it well.

You're obviously persuing specialist advice-I'm trying to think of a reason why you shouldn't be able to fly upon uneventful recovery, and I can't think of one.:)

"I'm trying to think of a reason why you shouldn't be able to fly upon uneventful recovery, and I can't think of one."

Agree.

Arm swelling is more likely with a combination of axillary clearance + axillary radiotherapy and for a small DCIS like this, sentinel node axillary biopsy (which is very likely to be negative) rather than axillary node clearance.

:ok:

Mac

Honey, get back in the air, and get on with your life. My wife also had this dreadful disease, her answer was "it is not stopping me" and back she went to her charity work, and all her other interests, flying will only help you recover, and move on. The best of luck from us all.:D

mac the knife, thanks for reply. yes, i was one of the lucky ones to, by pure chance, got to go to a specialist who does sentinel node like your good self. (so no auxillary clearance with associated many and permanent problems was done). dcis was 4 cm x 5 cm, clear sentinel node and micro invasive in breast. DAME for upcoming class 1 medical is an obstetrician so hopefully will not be put off by the 'c' word. he is a pilot too so here's hoping he is sympathetic to my wanting class 1 for commercial licence.

others who replied, thank you very much for your support.
k