Cancer

Your oncology team and GP are the best people to ask about your own diagnosis and treatment. For general information and emotional support, you can call Cancer Council on 13 11 20 to speak with an experienced health professional. You can also browse practitioners on this page who support people affected by cancer.

If you suspect you have cancer due to persistent symptoms or a lump, see your GP as soon as possible for evaluation. Early detection of cancer often leads to better outcomes, so don’t delay seeking medical advice. (“early detection” to Cancer Council.)

Treatments for cancer include surgery to remove tumors, chemotherapy to kill cancer cells, radiation therapy to target and destroy cancerous tissue, immunotherapy to boost the body’s immune system, and targeted therapy that focuses on specific genetic changes in cancer cells. The treatment plan depends on the type, location, and stage of cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health.

Cancer is diagnosed through a combination of methods, including physical exams, imaging tests (such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI), blood tests, and biopsy procedures where a sample of tissue is examined under a microscope. The specific tests used depend on the suspected type of cancer.