Skip to main content

Call 13 11 20 for information and support

If you or someone you know is looking for cancer-related support, our team will be right here with you.

Call one of our friendly nurses between Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Follow along
  • Cancer prevention
  • Get support
  • Research
  • Get involved
  • About Cancer
  • Health professionals
  • Accommodation
  • About us
  • Latest News
  • First Nations
  • Back to main menu
  • Overview
  • Immunisation and cancer
  • Screening and finding cancer early
  • SunSmart Schools & EarlyChildhood Program
  • Sun protection
  • Smoking and vaping
  • Nutrition, alcohol and physical activity
  • Workplaces
  • Recipes
  • Prevention and early detection resources and fact sheets
  • Back to main menu
  • Overview
  • Support services
  • Coping with cancer
  • Advanced cancer
  • Supporting someone with cancer
  • Resources and fact sheets

Call 13 11 20 for information and support

Cancer treatments

Understanding the different treatment options available to you can help you to make a well-informed decision.

If you have any questions about treatments and their side effects, speak to your doctor or get in touch with our qualified health professionals on 13 11 20 or askanurse@cancersa.org.au.

Three people sit around a white table in a bright office, reviewing papers with a laptop. Three people sit around a white table in a bright office, reviewing papers with a laptop.
Making treatment decisions

Sometimes it is difficult to decide on the type of treatment to have. You may feel that everything is happening too fast, or you might be anxious to get started.
Caregiver in a white coat holds hands with a seated patient wearing a headscarf in a clinic. Caregiver in a white coat holds hands with a seated patient wearing a headscarf in a clinic.
Chemotherapy

This information has been prepared to help you understand more about chemotherapy, one of the main treatments for cancer. Chemotherapy uses a range of drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth.
Person on MRI bed with head wrapped, clinician in green scrubs nearby. Person on MRI bed with head wrapped, clinician in green scrubs nearby.
Radiation therapy

Some people feel concerned about the side effects of radiation therapy, but most side effects are temporary. We have included information about ways to manage the most common side effects.
Older patient in a hospital bed wearing a blue gown, holding hands with a visitor. Older patient in a hospital bed wearing a blue gown, holding hands with a visitor.
Surgery

Some people say that they feel pressure to return to “normal life”. It is important to allow yourself time to adjust to the physical and emotional changes, and establish a new daily routine at your own pace. Your family and friends may also need time to adjust.
Healthcare worker in blue scrubs shows a clipboard to a patient with a pink headscarf and pink blanket. Healthcare worker in blue scrubs shows a clipboard to a patient with a pink headscarf and pink blanket.
Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. The main type of immunotherapy for cancer uses drugs called checkpoint inhibitors.
Older person sits up in a recliner with a headscarf and blanket, speaking with a masked caregiver. Older person sits up in a recliner with a headscarf and blanket, speaking with a masked caregiver.
Targeted therapy

We hope this information will help you, your family and friends understand what targeted therapy is and how it may help treat cancer.
Caregivers cradle a patient’s hand on a white blanket with a monitor strapped to the abdomen. Caregivers cradle a patient’s hand on a white blanket with a monitor strapped to the abdomen.
Palliative care

The aim of palliative care is to improve your quality of life and help you stay independent for as long as possible. It is recommended for anyone diagnosed with advanced cancer, not just at the end of life.