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| Support > Dealing with advanced cancer |
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| Dealing with advanced cancer |
| What is advanced cancer? |
Advanced cancer is a term commonly used to describe:
- Metastatic or secondary cancer which is cancer that has spread beyond the original site; or
- Primary cancer that is advanced at diagnosis.
Advanced cancer diagnosed in adults usually cannot be cured by current treatments. However treatment can often be used to slow the growth and spread of the cancer and reduce symptoms. There are a number of advances in treatments for some cancers that enable the cancer to be kept under control for long periods, often for months and sometimes for years.
The diagnosis of advanced cancer is distressing news for most people and it affects everyone whose life it touches – the patient as well as their family and friends. Knowing the cancer cannot be cured brings a number of new challenges in facing the future with a different perspective.
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| Coping with advanced cancer |
Taking one step at a time
Whether you are a person with a diagnosis of advanced cancer or a close relative or friend, one thing that may help you cope with the journey ahead is to remember to take one day at a time. Many of your concerns can be eased with medical skill, emotional support, knowledge, hope and love. Therefore it is important you have access to a good doctor and health care team, who is supportive and can be relied on to be there for you and to know where to go for additional help if needed.
Information from the health care team
If you or your loved one has been given a diagnosis of advanced cancer you need to be given information by your health care team and particularly by your medical specialist about what this means to your life. Writing a list of your questions is a useful way to ensure you gather the information that is important to you. Some of the questions could include:
What does advanced cancer mean?
Are there any treatments?
Is this treatment aimed at curing the disease, helping me to live longer or dealing with my symptoms?
What can I expect from these treatments?
Who is my primary health care team now?
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| Palliative care - What is palliative care? |
The World Health Organization defines palliative care as: "The active total care of patients at a time when their disease is no longer responsive to curative treatment, and when control of pain of other symptoms, and of psychological, social and spiritual problems is paramount." (World Heath Organization 1986, Report on Palliative Care).
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| Myths about palliative care |
It is common for people who have had no previous experience of palliative care to think it is only for people who are about to die. This is not true as palliative care is a comprehensive term for all medical, nursing and allied health care that is provided when a disease is considered no longer curable. The focus of the care switches from aiming to cure a disease to disease and symptom management, prolonging and increasing quality of life. There are a range of palliative care services, either hospital or community-based, that can provide support during this phase of care.
For further information about palliative care contact the Palliative Care Information Service on 1800 772 273.
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| Who can I talk to? |
Your health care team, medical specialist and local GP are all people who are there to answer your questions and respond to your queries. There may be times when you want to talk to someone outside your family or friends who has some expertise in the cancer area. Whether you are the person diagnosed with cancer, a family member or a friend, you can gain information or support from the following services:
The Cancer Council Helpline: 13 11 20 (toll free) Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm
Palliative Care Information Service: 1800 772 273
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| Links |
Cancerbackup
Advanced Breast Cancer Group
Palliative care information service
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