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

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…

Professor Christopher Christophi (Chair), Surgeon, Austin Health and The University of Melbourne Dr Richard Khor, Radiation Oncologist, Austin Health and Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre Professor Michael Michael, Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Dr Krithika Murali, Clinical Geneticist Fellow, Victorian Clinical Genetics Services Dr Mehrdad Nikfarjam, Surgeon, Austin Health Ms Rose Rocca, Dietitian, Peter MacCallum…

Professor Chris Christophi, The University of Melbourne, Department of Surgery, Austin Health (Chair) Professor Jon Emery, Herman Professor of Primary Care, The University of Melbourne, Western Health; Director of Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Trials Group Mr Adrian Fox, Hepatobiliary Surgeon, Eastern Health Associate Professor Sze Ting Lee, Nuclear Medicine Physician, Centre for PET, Austin Health…

Advance Care Planning Australia Allied Health Professions Australia Australasian Association of Nuclear Medicine Specialists Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine, Royal Australia College of Physicians Australasian Pancreatic Club Australia and New Zealand Hepatic, Pancreatic and Biliary Association Australian and New Zealand Gastric and Oesophageal Surgery Association Australian and New Zealand Society of Neuroradiology Australian and New…

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…

The multidisciplinary team may include the following members: care coordinator (as determined by multidisciplinary team members)* dietitian* gastroenterologist (with expertise in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and/or endoscopic ultrasound)* hepato-pancreato biliary surgeon* interventional/ hepato-pancreato biliary radiologist* nurse (with appropriate expertise)* medical oncologist* radiation oncologist* palliative care specialist* pathologist* Aboriginal health practitioner, Indigenous liaison officer or remote…

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…

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…

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…