Advance care planning is important for all patients with a cancer diagnosis but especially those with relapsed or progressive disease. Patients should be encouraged to think and talk about their healthcare values and preferences with family or carers, appoint a substitute decision-maker and consider developing an advance care directive to convey their preferences for future health care

in the event they become unable to communicate their wishes (Australian Government Department of Health 2021a).

More information

Refer to section 4.3 ‘More information’ for links to resources.

Refer patients and carers to Advance Care Planning Australia  or to the Advance Care Planning National Phone Advisory Service on 1300 208 582.