Cancer will affect one in two Queenslanders in their lifetime. Learn what causes cancer and how they develop, grow and spread.

If you have just been diagnosed with cancer, or have a family member or friend who is affected by cancer you may be feeling a range of strong emotions. You may be experiencing fear, anger, disbelief, sadness, guilt, loneliness, loss of control or distress. Each person has their own way of coping, and these are…

Your doctors will perform a number of tests to obtain a diagnosis, determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body and develop a treatment plan. The tests you have depend greatly on the type of cancers and your specific symptoms. These tests may include: CT scan MRI scan PET scan Ultrasound…

There are many types of cancer, each with its own treatment. Learn about specific cancer types.

Sometimes it is difficult to decide on the type of treatment to have. You may feel that everything is happening too fast. Check with your doctor how soon your treatment should start, and take as much time as you can before making a decision. Understanding the disease, the available treatments and possible side effects can…

Your cancer treatment will depend on several factors, including the type of cancer you have, where it began and whether it has spread to other parts of your body. It will also depend on your general health and the type of treatment you choose and are prepared to have. In this section you will find…

Treatment side effects vary depending on the type of cancer you have, the stage of the cancer, and the type of treatment you are given. The changes can be both physical and emotional. Some side effects resolve quickly; others can take weeks, months or even years to improve. Your body will cope with the treatment and…

The most effective form of treatment for cancer is conventional medicine. Some people use complementary therapies as well to relieve side effects of their cancer treatments. Alternative therapies have not been shown to be effective in treating cancer. What are complementary therapies? Complementary therapies and medicines tend to focus on the whole person, and not just…

Many people now live for a long time after cancer treatment. After a cancer diagnosis, people are often kept very busy and preoccupied with medical appointments and the demands of treatment. The end of treatment may be a time when you realise the impact cancer had on you, your family and friends. Challenges will vary…

A carer is someone who provides unpaid personal care and support to assist a person through a disease or disability such as cancer. Carers can provide support in different ways: practical, physical, emotional and spiritual. Anyone can be a carer – you may be a relative, friend or neighbour. You may be of any age,…

Advanced cancer is a term commonly used to describe primary or secondary cancer that is unlikely to be cured. Health professionals may also use the terms secondary, metastatic, and progressive cancer to describe cancer that has moved beyond early stages. Sometimes health professionals don’t use a particular name. While advanced cancer usually cannot be cured,…

Information & resources Cancer Council Queensland provides support, information and resources, at no cost, for people throughout Queensland. These services are made possible through the generous donations of Queenslanders and we thank them for their continued support. To ensure we can provide information to all Queenslanders you cannot order over the maximum quantity of resources.…