Cancer
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- Biopsy
Before a biopsy, you need to discuss a range of issues with your doctor or surgeon.
- Bowel cancer screening
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) offers kits for free to Australians between the ages of 50 and 74 years of age.
- Breast screening
Information on breast screening - who is eligible for free breast screens and when, and how to arrange a mammogram (breast screen) in Victoria.
- Cancer screening
The aim of cancer screening is to find cancer in its early stages.
- Cervical screening
Cervical cancer can be prevented through regular screening (every 5 years). Cervical cancer screening is recommended for women or people with a cervix (25 to 74 years) who have been sexually active.
- Endoscopy
An endoscope or fibrescope is a long, usually flexible tube with a lens at one end and a video camera at the other.
- Genetic testing for inherited cancer
A predisposition to certain cancers can be inherited via altered genes.
- Living with Bowel Cancer - Treatment and Surgery (video)
Participants discuss their surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Each persons situation is different as were their treatment options. Participants share some of the side effects and also their feelings as they progressed through the treatments.
- Prostate Cancer - Diagnosis (video)
In this video clip, participants discuss the events that led to them being tested for prostate cancer, whether that was regular PSA testing or in response to a GP recommendation.
- Prostate cancer testing
Men with a family history of prostate cancer, or men who have had a raised test result in the past, will benefit most from regular testing.
- Bladder cancer
Bladder cancer affects around 3 times as many men as women.
- Bone cancer
Bone cancer can develop as either a primary cancer, meaning that the cancer started in the bones, or a secondary cancer, meaning that the cancer started somewhere else and spread to the bones.
- Bowel cancer
Bowel cancer is highly curable if found at an early stage.
- Brain tumours
Brain cancer symptoms and treatment depend on which part of the brain is affected.
- Brain tumours - gliomas
Gliomas are brain tumours associated with the three types of glial cell in the brain.
- Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Australia (apart from non-melanoma skin cancer) and the second most common cancer to cause death in women.
- Cancer of the uterus
Uterine cancer is one of the most common gynaecological cancers.
- Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer information including signs and symptoms, screening, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, HPV vaccine and where to get help. Tests are recommended for 25-74 year olds every 5 years.
- Fallopian tube cancer
Fallopian tube cancer is one of the rarest gynaecological cancers.
- Kidney cancer
Most kidney cancers are found when the doctor is checking for something else.
- Leukaemia
Most children and many adults with acute leukaemia can expect to be cured, while chronic leukaemia can be successfully managed.
- Liver cancer (primary)
Liver cancer can be a primary cancer that starts in the liver, or a secondary cancer that starts in another part of the body and spreads to the liver.
- Living with Bowel Cancer - Treatment and Surgery (video)
Participants discuss their surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Each persons situation is different as were their treatment options. Participants share some of the side effects and also their feelings as they progressed through the treatments.
- Lung cancer
Lung cancer occurs most often in adults between the ages of 40 and 70 who have smoked cigarettes for at least 20 years.
- Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a general term for a cancer that begins in the lymphatic system.
- Melanoma
If untreated, melanomas can spread to other parts of the body and may be fatal.
- Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can develop decades after exposure to asbestos.
- Molar pregnancy
Most molar pregnancies are diagnosed when bleeding early in pregnancy prompts an ultrasound scan.
- Mouth cancer
Smoking increases the risk of mouth cancer six-fold.
- Multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma is cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow.
- Ovarian cancer
Many women with early stage ovarian cancer may not have any symptoms.
- Pancreatic cancer
The causes of pancreatic cancer are unknown, but smokers are at greater risk.
- Pituitary tumour
Generally, pituitary tumours are benign and slow growing, and pituitary cancers are extremely rare.
- Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer can be treated in a variety of ways, so discuss treatment options with your doctor.
- Prostate Cancer - Diagnosis (video)
In this video clip, participants discuss the events that led to them being tested for prostate cancer, whether that was regular PSA testing or in response to a GP recommendation.
- Skin cancer
Check all of your skin, not just sun-exposed areas. If you notice anything unusual, including any change in shape, colour or size of a spot, or the development of a spot, visit your doctor as soon as possible.
- Skin cancer - children
Encourage your child to be SunSmart, whatever their age.
- Stomach and oesophageal cancers
The symptoms of stomach cancer are usually vague and can be common to other medical conditions.
- Testicular cancer
Early diagnosis and treatment can cure almost all cases of testicular cancer.
- Throat cancer
Risk factors for throat cancer include smoking or chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and Human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Thyroid cancer
Anyone can develop thyroid cancer, regardless of age or gender.
- Vaginal cancer
Some vaginal cancers have no symptoms in their early stages, and only cause symptoms once they have invaded other parts of the body.
- Vulvar cancer
In its early stages, vulvar cancer often has no symptoms because the cancer is so tiny.
- Cancer explained
There are about 200 different types of cancer and most areas of the body can be affected.
- Cancer in children
In children, the genetic changes that cause cancer are not due to lifestyle but are more likely to be random and difficult to predict.
- Living with Bowel Cancer - Treatment and Surgery (video)
Participants discuss their surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Each persons situation is different as were their treatment options. Participants share some of the side effects and also their feelings as they progressed through the treatments.
- Prostate Cancer - Diagnosis (video)
In this video clip, participants discuss the events that led to them being tested for prostate cancer, whether that was regular PSA testing or in response to a GP recommendation.
- Cancer and asbestos
Long-term exposure to asbestos is a cause of lung cancer and other serious illnesses.
- Cancer and food
Diet can influence your risk of developing some cancers, but there is no evidence that specific foods can cause or cure cancer.
- Cancer and heredity
Latest research suggests that most cancers are caused by environmental rather than genetic factors.
- Disease clusters
Disease clusters are rare but can cause community concern about the possible effects of exposure to environmental hazards.
- Prostate Cancer - Diagnosis (video)
In this video clip, participants discuss the events that led to them being tested for prostate cancer, whether that was regular PSA testing or in response to a GP recommendation.
- Skin cancer - protecting outdoor workers
People who work outdoors are in one of the highest risk groups for skin cancer.
- Skin cancer - risk factors
The major cause of skin cancer is over exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or other sources, such as solariums.
- Skin cancer - tanning
A suntan is a sign of skin damage ? there is no such thing as a 'safe' tan.
- Smoking kills
Tobacco causes more illness and death than any other drug.
- Solariums and collariums (sunbeds and tanning beds)
There is no such thing as a safe solarium tan.
- Sunburn
Even mild sunburn can cause permanent skin damage and may increase your risk of skin cancer.
- Breast cancer and oestrogen
There are different types of breast cancer, and around 70 per cent are sensitive to the female sex hormone oestrogen.
- Cancer pain management
A person with cancer who obtains pain relief is likely to sleep better and have more energy during the day.
- Cancer treatments - chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells.
- Cancer treatments - radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses precisely targeted x-rays to destroy cancer cells while reducing the impact of radiation on healthy cells.
- Living with Bowel Cancer - Treatment and Surgery (video)
Participants discuss their surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Each persons situation is different as were their treatment options. Participants share some of the side effects and also their feelings as they progressed through the treatments.
- Palliative care – dealing with common symptoms
Some people prefer having palliative care at home because of the familiar environment, feeling of independence and close access to family, friends and the local community.
- Prostate cancer - androgen deprivation therapy
One of the treatments for prostate cancer is androgen deprivation therapy (previously called hormone therapy).
- Prostate Cancer - Diagnosis (video)
In this video clip, participants discuss the events that led to them being tested for prostate cancer, whether that was regular PSA testing or in response to a GP recommendation.
- Prostatectomy - for cancer
The aim of a radical prostatectomy is to remove the cancer before it spreads to other parts of the body.
- Cancer - exercise to help you cope
People with cancer should be as physically active as their abilities and condition allow.
- Cancer and malnutrition
It is important for the health of people with cancer to eat well before, during and after cancer treatment.
- Cancer pain management
A person with cancer who obtains pain relief is likely to sleep better and have more energy during the day.
- Living with Bowel Cancer - Treatment and Surgery (video)
Participants discuss their surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Each persons situation is different as were their treatment options. Participants share some of the side effects and also their feelings as they progressed through the treatments.
- Lymphoedema
Women who have undergone treatment of breast cancer are particularly susceptible to lymphoedema of the arm.
- Prostate Cancer - Diagnosis (video)
In this video clip, participants discuss the events that led to them being tested for prostate cancer, whether that was regular PSA testing or in response to a GP recommendation.