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…

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…

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

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…

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…

Advance Care Planning Australia Allied Health Professions Australia Australasian Association of Nuclear Medicine Specialists Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine, Royal Australia College of Physicians Australian and New Zealand Society of Neuroradiology Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Care Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre Australian College of Nursing Australian Medical Association Australian Society of Medical Imaging…

Alexandra Philpott, Project Manager –Optimal Care Pathways Dr Niall Corcoran, Urologist, The Royal Melbourne and Frankston hospitals, The University of Melbourne, Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre Epworth (Chair) Ms Jenni Bourke, Occupational Therapist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Ms Elise Davies, Manager Cancer Strategy and Development, Department of Health, Victoria Ms Dianne Jones, Urology Nurse, West…

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…

Associate Professor Niall Corcoran (Chair), Surgeon, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Frankston Hospital, The University of Melbourne and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Associate Professor Ian Collins, Medical Oncologist, SouthWest Regional Cancer Centre, Warrnambool and Deakin University Professor Ian Davis, Medical Oncologist, Eastern Health and Monash University Professor Michael Hofman, Nuclear Medicine Physician, Peter MacCallum Cancer…