Appendix A: Supportive care domains Supportive care in cancer refers to the following five domains: the physical domain, which includes a wide range of physical symptoms that may be acute, relatively short lived or ongoing, requiring continuing interventions or rehabilitation the psychological domain, which includes a range of issues related to the patient’s mental health…

Complementary therapies may be used together with conventional medical treatments to support and enhance quality of life and wellbeing. They do not aim to cure the patient’s cancer. Instead, they are used to help control symptoms such as pain and fatigue (Cancer Council Australia 2019). The lead clinician or health professional involved in the patient’s…

Consider a referral to a psychologist, psychiatrist, pastoral/spiritual care practitioner, social worker, specialist nurse or a relevant community-based program if the patient has these issues: displaying emotional cues such as tearfulness, distress that requires specialist intervention, avoidance or withdrawal being preoccupied with or dwelling on thoughts about cancer and death displaying fears about the treatment…

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to the land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present and emerging. This work is available from the Cancer Council website. First published in May 2016. This edition published in June 2021.…

Associate Professor Peter Grant (Chair), Gynaecological Oncologist, Mercy Hospital for Women and The University of Melbourne Dr Vivek Arora, Gynaecological Oncologist, Sydney Associate Professor Marion Harris, Director, Monash Familial Cancer Centre Dr Mahesh Iddawela, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Alfred Health and Latrobe Regional Hospital Dr Pearly Khaw, Consultant Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Associate Professor…

Disability, which can be physical, intellectual or psychological, may have existed before the cancer diagnosis or may be new in onset (occurring due to the cancer treatment or incidentally). Adjusting to life with a disability adds another challenge to cancer care and survivorship. Several barriers prevent women with disabilities from accessing timely and effective health…

Our thanks to the following health professionals, consumer representatives, stakeholders and organisations consulted in developing this optimal care pathway.

Advance Care Planning Australia Allied Health Professions Australia Australasian Association of Nuclear Medicine Specialists Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine, Royal Australia College of Physicians Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group Australian and New Zealand Society of Neuroradiology Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Care Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre Australian College of Nursing Australian Medical…

Planning and delivering appropriate cancer care for older women can present a number of challenges. This could also be true for frail women or those experiencing comorbidities. Effective communication between oncology and geriatrics departments will help facilitate best practice care, which takes into account physiological age, complex comorbidities, risk of adverse events and drug interactions,…

Associate Professor Peter Grant (Chair), Head, Gynaecological Oncology, Mercy Hospital for Women Dr Vivek Arora, Gynaecological Oncologist, The Royal Women’s Hospital and Western Health Dr Marion Harris, Director, Monash Familial Cancer Centre Dr Mahesh Iddawela, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Goulburn Valley Health; Clinical Director, West Hume Integrated Cancer Centre Ms Heather Jordan, Senior Dietitian, Western Health…