A diagnosis of cancer may present additional challenges to people who have pre-existing chronic mental health or psychiatric concerns, resulting in exacerbation of their mental health symptoms. This may include heightened anxiety, worsening depression or thoughts of self-harm. As poor adjustment and coping can affect treatment decisions, people who are known to have a mental…

The multidisciplinary team may include the following members: care coordinator (as determined by multidisciplinary team members)* gastroenterologist/hepatologist* hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeon* interventional radiologist* nurse (with appropriate expertise)* radiation oncologist* Aboriginal Health Practitioner, Indigenous Liaison Officer or Remote General Practitioner clinical trials coordinator dietitian exercise physiologist fertility specialist general practitioner medical oncologist nuclear medicine physician occupational therapist palliative…

In recent years, adolescent and young adult oncology has emerged as a distinct field due to lack of progress in survival and quality-of-life outcomes (Ferrari et al. 2010; Smith et al. 2013). The significant developmental change that occurs during this life stage complicates a diagnosis of cancer, often leading to unique physical, social and emotional…

People who identify as sexually or gender diverse may have unique needs following a cancer diagnosis. Sexually or gender diverse identities include (but are not limited to) people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, collectively ‘LGBT’. There is no universally agreed upon initialism to describe this community, with other terms such as queer/questioning…

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 wellbeing and personal relationships the…

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…

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…

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 November 2014. This edition published in June 2021…

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

Professor Ian Kronborg, Gastroenterologist, Western Health (Chair) Dr Sarat Chander, Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Dr Jessica Howell, Gastroenterologist, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, Burnet Institute Melbourne Professor Stuart Roberts, Hepatologist, Alfred Health and Monash University Professor William Sievert, Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, Monash Health Dr Manfred Spanger, Interventional Radiologist, Eastern Health…