In general, people from lower socioeconomic groups are at greater risk of poor health, have higher rates of illness, disability and death, and live shorter lives than those from higher socioeconomic groups (AIHW 2016). People experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage are less likely to participate in screening programs, more likely to be obese, less likely to exercise…

Patients who have undergone stem cell transplants may have cognitive impairments for up to three years post procedure (Sharafeldin et al. 2018). Long-term follow-up and identification of strategies (e.g. maintaining written notes and repeating information) to enable patients to cope with alterations in cognitive function may be required. High-dose chemotherapy is both physically and emotionally…

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…

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…

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…

Professor John Seymour (Chair), Director, Department of Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital Dr Phillip Campbell, Head of Haematology, Barwon Health Dr Duncan Carradice, Haematologist, Western Health Dr Geoff Chong, Medical Oncologist, Austin Health, Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre Ms Tracey Dryden, National Lymphoma Coordinator, Leukaemia Foundation Ms Jane Farrow, Senior…

The multidisciplinary team may include the following members: Aboriginal health practitioner, Indigenous liaison officer or remote general practitioner care coordinator (as determined by multidisciplinary team members)* exercise physiologist fertility specialist haematologist/medical oncologist* nurse (with appropriate expertise)* pathologist* radiation oncologist* radiologist/imaging specialists* clinical trials coordinator dietitian exercise physiologist general practitioner nuclear medicine physician occupational therapist palliative…

Professor John Seymour (Chair), Haematologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Dr Michael Dickinson, Haematologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Ms Tracey Dryden, Nurse Consultant, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Associate Professor Eliza Hawkes, Medical Oncologist, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre, Austin Health and Eastern Health Ms Helena Rodi, Project Manager, Advance Care Planning Australia Professor Robert Thomas, Special Advisor…

Alfred Health Cancer Australia Cancer Council Victoria, Strategy and Support Division Cancer Institute New South Wales Concord Repatriation General Hospital New South Wales Consumer representative Department of Health and Human, Health and Wellbeing Division Services, Cancer and Aged Care Unit National Cancer Expert Reference Group Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre St Vincent’s Hospital…

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