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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- Lymphoedema
Women who have undergone treatment of breast cancer are particularly susceptible to lymphoedema of the arm.