‘Keeping Abreast of the Breast’
Location: General Meeting to be held at the Melbourne Club.
Date: April 12, 2024
Time: 6.30 pm – 11.30 pm
Dress: Lounge suit
Dr. Nicole Yap is an experienced Specialist Breast Surgeon who has made significant contributions to the field of breast health, combining her expertise in oncological as well as aesthetic aspects of breast surgery. Only 15% of breast cancer patients have a known family history and hence her passion for genetic testing as a tool in personalised risk assessment, illustrates her commitment to comprehensive care and distinguishes her as a sought-after specialist in her field.
Dr Yap graduated in Medicine and Surgery from Melbourne University and trained in Plastic Surgery followed by General Surgery when she obtained her fellowship. Dr Yap possesses the unique ability to address breast cancer comprehensively, by removing the cancer while preserving or even enhancing the aesthetic outcomes using plastic surgical techniques. This oncoplastic approach was refined whilst working with world renowned breast oncoplastic surgeon Prof Krishna Clough at the Paris Breast Centre, and in Lyon at Leon Berard Centre and Clinique Charcot with Dr. Emmanuel Delay.
Dr. Nicole Yap is an experienced Specialist Breast Surgeon who has made significant contributions to the field of breast health, combining her expertise in oncological as well as aesthetic aspects of breast surgery. Only 15% of breast cancer patients have a known family history and hence her passion for genetic testing as a tool in personalised risk assessment, illustrates her commitment to comprehensive care and distinguishes her as a sought-after specialist in her field.
Dr Yap graduated in Medicine and Surgery from Melbourne University and trained in Plastic Surgery followed by General Surgery when she obtained her fellowship. Dr Yap possesses the unique ability to address breast cancer comprehensively, by removing the cancer while preserving or even enhancing the aesthetic outcomes using plastic surgical techniques. This oncoplastic approach was refined whilst working with world renowned breast oncoplastic surgeon Prof Krishna Clough at the Paris Breast Centre, and in Lyon at Leon Berard Centre and Clinique Charcot with Dr. Emmanuel Delay.
The presentation, “Keeping Abreast of the Breast” will focus on the unscreened population (under 50-year-olds) diagnosed with breast cancer, and which comprise 23% of all breast cancer. Younger patients tend to develop more biologically aggressive breast cancers, are diagnosed late in the disease, and therefore fare much worse than their older counterparts. They also tend to carry genetic mutations which allows a higher risk for developing a breast cancer.
It is therefore important to address why these patients present late and the role of raising awareness in these age groups for early detection, reforming screening methods, expanding access to genetic testing and MRI screening, and enhancing surgical practices to consider reconstructive and aesthetic outcomes (oncoplastic surgery). This can only improve outcomes and overall prognosis.
Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Yap actively collaborates with the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute. Currently this work focuses on finding immunological pathways in triple-negative breast cancer to improve treatment and prognosis in this aggressive disease.
In addition to her private practice, Dr. Yap is actively involved in various professional activities, including serving as the Deputy Chair VRC at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, AMA Councillor, President of the Australian Chinese Medical Association of Victoria, Board member of Pink Hope, and President of the Medico-Legal Society of Victoria. She was also on the board of GVAS and judge and presenter at the prestigious USA My Face, My Body awards.
Dr Yap is also involved with surgical education through her role as an Educator and Examiner of Monash Medical students and co-editor of McGraw’s ‘Surgery-on-call.’
Furthermore, Dr. Yap is the founding director of the not-for-profit organization, the Australian Breast Care Centre. The centre’s activities include education regarding breast cancer in non-screened age groups (less than 50 years of age) and emphasize the importance of genetic testing.
Dr Yap practises throughout Melbourne, Australia at St Vincent’s Private, Epworth, Mulgrave Private, Reservoir Private and Holmesglen Private.
www.drnicoleyap.com.au Dr Nicole Yap – Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram
