Dr April Miu
Breast & General Surgeon
Dr April Miu has been working in Townsville since 2021, when she joined both NQMIS and Townsville University Hospital (TUH) as a consultant in breast and general surgery.
She is the designated surgeon for BreastScreen, the supervisor of surgical training at Townsville University Hospital for the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) and General Surgeons Australia (GSA) and a senior lecturer at James Cook University. She instructs on the Care of the Critically Ill Surgical Patient (CCrISP) course for RACS.
She undertook her surgical training in John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle and completed post-fellowship training in breast surgery in Auckland City Hospital, Royal Perth Hospital and Wollongong Hospital. She was trained in all aspects of current breast surgery techniques and breast cancer treatment, including reconstruction and defect closure following lumpectomy (also decribed as “oncoplastic surgery”).
Dr Miu looks after all patients with breast disease. This ranges from breast cancer, non-cancerous breast conditions (“benign breast disease”). She offers all aspects of breast cancer surgery, including reconstruction in appropriately selected patients and defect closure following lumpectomy (also described as “oncoplastic” surgery).
She is supported in her care of patients by Nicola Brazil, the breast care nurse working in NQMIS. Ms Brazil is a registered nurse who has completed her post-graduate certificate in breast care nursing and provides education, support and clinical care for patients with breast cancer or who are having breast surgery with Dr Miu. This includes post-operative and wound care.
Dr Miu is pleased to offer Scout guided (wire free) breast cancer surgery and Scout guided removal of breast lesions through NQMIS and also at TUH. This technique allows removal of a small breast cancer (or other non-cancerous lesion) without the use of the external hookwires which have been used for this purpose for over 50 years. This technology has been available in Townsville since 2024 and has contributed to improved patient care.
Dr Miu was instrumental in introducing SCOUT guided (wire free) breast surgery to Townsville. This was important to Dr Miu as she was trained to perform breast cancer surgery with similar wire free technology when a fellow in Royal Perth Hospital. She saw the benefits of such an approach to breast cancer surgery and considers this a valuable contribution to the breast cancer surgery in Townsville.
She also treats patients with herniae and gallbladder disease and participates in the emergency on call roster at Townsville University Hospital.
When Dr Miu is not consulting or operating, she enjoys playing the piano and baking.