Your treatment may be finished or over for now, but some people will experience ongoing side effects. Managing your treatment is one thing but dealing with long term side effects may be confusing and frustrating. Cancer Council’s booklets about individual cancer types discuss common side effects and how to manage them. Living Well After Cancer also examines many side effects common to cancer survivors and offers strategies for coping with them.   Our online fact sheets about hair loss, fatigue, lymphoedema, changes in thinking and memory, and mouth health, provide more detailed information on managing these specific side effects during and after treatment.   You can also listen to The Thing About Cancer podcast on the Cancer Council NSW website or through your favourite podcasting app. There you’ll find episodes on Managing Fatigue, Brain Fog and Appetite Loss and Nausea. ... View more

Hearing you have cancer can be confronting and come as a shock. There is no right way to feel and experiencing a range of emotions is normal. It may be reassuring to know that reactions like shock and disbelief, fear, anger and sadness are natural and there are ways to manage the emotional impact of a diagnosis.   When your mental health needs are met, you are in the best position to manage the demands of treatment. Talk to your treatment team for help managing any emotional distress or if you want to get professional support. Here in the Cancer Council’s Online Community you can also give and receive support, connect with others and share tips and experiences.   Check out Cancer Council’s information on: Emotions and Cancer Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis, Managing Fear and the importance of Sleep and Cancer (podcast episodes) Mindful Meditation and Relaxation recordings the mental and physical benefits of Exercise during Cancer Treatment. ... View more

October is Australian Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it’s an opportunity to get to know a bit more about this form of cancer and its impact on those affected. Although both women and men can develop breast cancer, it’s rare in men and is the most common cancer among Australian women.   Some people have no symptoms and the cancer is found during a screening mammogram or a physical examination. Other people notice changes to a breast. Either way it can be confronting to have a cancer diagnosis and suddenly be facing treatment decisions.   Check out Cancer Council’s information on: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer breast prostheses and reconstruction for women who have had, or are considering, a partial or complete removal of a breast (mastectomy) exercises you can do after breast surgery a list of useful websites for accurate information on breast cancer and support services complementary therapies that may improve general health and wellbeing, before, during and after treatment the affects of cancer and its treatment on fertility Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis – a podcast episode. ... View more

A diagnosis of advanced cancer can bring many physical challenges. Cancer Council NSW’s podcast series The Thing About Advanced Cancer focuses on three common symptoms of advanced cancer – breathlessness, delirium and pain. “Managing Breathlessness when Cancer is Advanced”. Breathlessness can be very distressing, both for the person experiencing it and those around them. This episode discusses the causes and ways it can be managed. “Avoiding Delirium when Cancer is Advanced”. This episode explores what delirium is, how to recognise the signs and how it might be avoided. “Managing Pain when Cancer is Advanced”. Many people are fearful that having advanced cancer means they will be in pain. In this episode, palliative medicine physician Dr Melanie Lovell discusses the many options for managing pain. Listen to the episodes on the Cancer Council NSW website or on your phone or tablet through your favourite podcast app. If you’re new to the world of podcasts and not sure how to download or listen to them on your smartphone or tablet, see our step-by-step guide. ... View more

Caring for someone with advanced cancer can feel quite overwhelming. Cancer Council NSW’s podcast series, The Thing About Advanced Cancer, includes two episodes specifically for  carers:   In “Caring for Someone with Advanced Cancer”, Clinical Psychologist, Dr Toni Lindsay, and people with their own experience of caring for someone with advanced cancer, talk frankly about the rewards and challenges of the caring role when the future is uncertain. The episode examines how carers can look after their own emotional and physical wellbeing, as well as some of the practical aspects of caring for someone living with advanced cancer. “Caring for Someone in the Last Months explores the experience of caring for someone at the end of their life. Professor Jane Phillips discusses where to find support, the feelings you might experience, the role of palliative care, and how to talk about dying. Listen to The Thing About Advanced Cancer on the Cancer Council NSW website or through your favourite podcasting app. If you’re new to the world of podcasts and not sure how to download or listen to them on your smartphone or tablet, see our step-by-step guide. ... View more

It can be confronting to be told you or a loved one have months or weeks to live. If you’re struggling with the news, you might find it helpful to listen to the “Living with Dying” episode of The Thing About Advanced Cancer podcast. In this episode, Julie McCrossin talks with palliative care specialist Dr Megan Best about ways that people face the end of life, including decisions about stopping treatment, the role of spirituality, and identifying how they want to spend their remaining time. You will also hear insights from people affected by advanced cancer.   Listen to the episode on the Cancer Council NSW website or on your phone or tablet through your favourite podcast app. If you’re new to the world of podcasts and not sure how to download or listen to them on your smartphone or tablet, see our step-by-step guide. ... View more

A cancer diagnosis doesn’t just affect one person. The ripples of that diagnosis extend throughout the family group, and can change the way that family members interact and support each other. People often think that a cancer diagnosis will bring families together, but it’s normal to have conflict and to get cranky with each other.   If you’re struggling with family relationships, you can find more tips and insights in the “Family Dynamics and Cancer” episode of The Thing About Cancer podcast. In this episode, Julie McCrossin chats with oncology social worker Ray Araullo and clinical psychologist Cath Adams about practical things that people can do to manage the impact of cancer on the family.   Listen to the episode on the Cancer Council NSW website or on your phone or tablet through your favourite podcast app. If you’re new to the world of podcasts and not sure how to download or listen to them on your smartphone or tablet, see our step-by-step guide. ... View more

Managing the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis can be an additional source of stress for many carers. You may be worried about how to live on a reduced income or how to find the money to pay for extra expenses, such as travel, doctors’ fees and medicines.   Getting help with your finances can take a great weight off your mind. Check out Cancer Council’s information about Cancer and your finances for: tips on preparing and balancing a budget, and dealing with financial stress what to do if you’re dealing with financial hardship and ways to reduce your debts and expenses, such as utility bills, council rates, loans and credit cards, medical expenses, and transport costs other potential sources of income, such as Centrelink payments, no interest loans, superannuation and insurance ways to resolve credit disputes where to get help and support. ... View more

Did you know that exercise has been shown to help both during and after cancer treatment? Exercise can help you manage some of the common side effects of treatment, speed up your recovery and improve your quality of life.   If you are thinking about starting an exercise program during cancer treatment, talk to your doctor about the type and amount of activity suitable for you. They can advise you about any types of exercise you should avoid and any precautions you should take.   Check out Cancer Council’s information about exercising during cancer treatment for: tips on getting started questions to ask your doctor or exercise professional step-by-step instructions and short videos demonstrating some simple strength training exercises to develop your balance and core muscles, upper body and legs short videos taking you through some exercises to improve the flexibility of your joints and muscles. ... View more

Work is an important part of many people’s lives, and most employed people who are diagnosed with cancer wonder how it will affect their ability to work. Some people manage by adjusting their work hours for a while – they may miss a couple of days here and there or work part-time. Others choose to take a longer break or retire.   Everyone’s situation is different. You may work on a casual, part-time or full-time basis, be self-employed, or work from home. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed or are thinking about returning to work after treatment, if you need help finding a working arrangement that suits your situation, take a look at Cancer, Work & You.   This booklet contains information about how cancer can affect your ability to work, tips about working during treatment, things to consider when returning to work after a break due to treatment, information for working carers, and an overview of your workplace rights and entitlements.   For more information, call 13 11 20 or go to our website.   ... View more