Get involved and help Queenslanders living with cancer by volunteering. Volunteers are the heart of our organisation. Join us to make a greater impact and connect with like-minded people.
Every contribution helps support those living with cancer. Whether a one-off donation or monthly gift, your support ensures funding stability for long-term goals and future generations.
Leave a legacy by including a gift in your Will, starting a tribute page for a loved one, or funding a research grant for early-career cancer researchers driving clinical innovations.
Organise a fundraising event in your community, either as a team or an individual. You can join one of our existing fundraising events or you might like to come up with your own way.
When organisations work together, we can have a greater impact for every Queenslander going through cancer and help amplify our message for all Australians.
However you get involved, you’re making a direct impact on the lives of Queenslanders affected by cancer. See the results of what we’ve all achieved.
Cancer treatments can cause changes to your appearance, such as hair loss, changes to your weight or the loss of a body part. Whether physical changes in cancer patients are temporary or permanent, they can deeply impact your self-esteem and leave you feeling self-conscious or less confident. If you’re experiencing changes in your body caused by cancer treatment, we’re here to support and help navigate the changes.
Our team is here to listen and support you.
Understanding and addressing these changes can help you adjust and find ways to maintain a positive sense of self when it comes to body image and cancer.
Physical changes in cancer patients might include:
Weight loss and cancer often go hand-in-hand. This is often because cancer cells consume a lot of energy as they grow, and treatment side effects may reduce your appetite or make eating uncomfortable. Whether or not you lose weight from cancer will depend on the type of cancer.
Unintentional weight loss may indicate malnutrition and in advanced cancer, changes in how the body absorbs nutrients, known as cachexia, may occur. With the support of your cancer care team you can prevent or slow down weight loss.
While weight loss is more common during cancer treatment, some people will experience weight gain, particularly with certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer. This can result from treatment side effects or medications:
As with weight loss and cancer, if you are concerned about weight gain during treatment, talk to your doctor or dietitian. They can help you manage your weight while ensuring your body gets the nutrition it needs. Avoid starting a weight-loss diet without professional guidance.
Any treatment which acts on rapidly dividing cancer cells can also affect other rapidly dividing cells such as hair follicles (roots). Whether these changes are temporary or permanent, they can affect the way you feel about yourself (your self-esteem) and leave you feeling self-conscious and less confident.
You can contact Look Good Feel Better on 1800 650 960 or visit their website.
Physical changes in cancer patients caused by treatment can deeply impact body image and self-confidence. With time, support, and self-care, many people find ways to embrace these changes and feel good about themselves again. To help adjust to any physical changes you may like to try:
At times your appetite may be impacted by cancer treatment, but where possible it is always recommended that you eat a balanced diet. Nutritious, healthy food can help to improve your energy levels, sexuality and sleeping patterns, and in turn support your mental wellbeing. If you find that you don’t feel like eating anything, try a small snack until your appetite returns. Tea, water and low-sugar juices are good choices when it comes to maintaining hydration.
Try to make movement a part of your daily routine. Regular physical activity can help you to manage your emotions. So be active, if possible, but be kind to yourself if you can’t make it happen today.
While weight loss is more common during cancer treatment, some people will experience weight gain, particularly with certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer. This can result from treatment side effects or medications. Feeling stressed or depressed can also make some people eat differently and being tired because of the treatment may make it harder to exercise.
If you put on weight during treatment and are concerned, speak to your doctor or dietitian about how to best manage it. It is important that your body gets enough nutrition, so do not try a weight loss diet without guidance from a health professional.
With the support of your cancer care team, you can prevent or slow down losing weight from cancer. If you cannot eat a balanced diet, or are losing weight without trying, your doctor or dietitian may suggest nutritional supplements such as Sustagen, Ensure, Fortisip or Resource. These are high in energy and protein and provide nutrients that can help maintain your strength.
Cancer treatments can bring physical changes in cancer patients, such as hair loss, scarring, changes to your weight or the loss of a body part. With time, support, and self-care, many people find ways to embrace these changes and feel good about themselves again.
While cancer itself typically doesn’t cause noticeable changes in body odour, certain treatments like chemotherapy can affect your sense of smell and you may notice that your body odour is unpleasant. It’s important to note that these changes are usually temporary and often improve after treatment has finished. Talk to your cancer care team if you are concerned about a change in body odour.
