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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…