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…

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 Victoria, Commissioning and System Improvement Division, Cancer Unit National Cancer Expert Reference Group Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Other stakeholders consulted…

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…

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…

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 2019b). The lead clinician or health professional involved in the patient’s…

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…

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 2015. 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.

The multidisciplinary team may include the following members: dietitian* interventional endoscopist (gastroenterologist or surgeon)* medical oncologist* oesophagogastric cancer nurse care coordinator* oesophagogastric surgeon* pathologist* radiation oncologist* upper GI radiologist* Aboriginal health practitioner, Indigenous liaison officer or remote general practitioner anaesthetist exercise physiologist fertility specialist general practitioner geneticist nuclear medicine physician physiotherapist palliative care specialist social…

Professor David Watson (Chair), Oesophagogastric Surgeon, Flinders Medical Centre Mrs Emily Banting, Upper GI Cancer Nurse Coordinator, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Mr Jeff Bull, Upper GI Cancer Nurse Consultant, Flinders Medical Centre Dr Julie Chu, Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Dr Nicola Poplawski, Clinical Geneticist, Royal Adelaide Hospital Professor Rajvinder Singh, Gastroenterologist, Lyell McEwin…