Fact sheets
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Cancer Information & Support Service
Common questions about cancer pain (80kb)
Answers to some common questions about cancer pain. Many people find that knowing about their illness can help them manage it.
Complementary and alternative medicines: Making decisions (80kb)
Having cancer can make you feel frightened and vulnerable. Deciding which is the right treatment for you can be difficult and confusing. We support you in wanting to explore different treatment choices. We want you to have the right information so you can get the best outcome.
Complementary and alternative medicines: Communicating with patients (79kb)
Unfortunately, there are people who falsely promote and provide unethical, fraudulent and potentially dangerous treatments for cancer.
Coping with breathlessness caused by cancer or cancer treatments (186kb)
Discover how to reduce and cope with cancer-related breathlessness. It's a common and distressing sensation, experienced by many people with cancer.
Coping with cancer fatigue (77kb)
Cancer-treatment-related fatigue is a feeling of severe tiredness experienced by many people who have had chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Caring for someone who has a brain tumour (70kb)
This information sheet explains some of the difficulties you may encounter and strategies that you may find useful.
High energy drink supplements (65kb)
Often people have trouble meeting their nutritional needs during and after cancer treatment. The following drink recipes can be used as supplements.
Learning to relax: for people with cancer, family and friends (76kb)
If you have cancer, or are caring for someone with cancer, you probably have many worries and fears.
Primary Bone Cancer (100kb)
For people with primary bone cancer who would like to know more about their cancer and its treatment. It describes the types, causes and symptoms of primary bone cancer, as well as treatments and their possible side effects.
Soft Tissue Sarcoma (84kb)
For people with soft tissue sarcoma who'd like to know more about their cancer and its treatment. It describes the types, causes and symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma as well as treatments and their possible side effects.
Testicular cancer and testicular self-examination (62kb)
Cancer of the testes is uncommon. It mainly affects younger men. It is most common in men aged between 25 and 44. However, it also sometimes affects men aged over 45 and young men and boys aged under 25.
Tumour testing for people at or under 50 years who are being treated for bowel cancer (41kb)
Because of your diagnosis at a young age (under 50) we'd like to do some extra testing, which may show whether genetic tests would be useful for you.
Cancer Prevention Centre
Alcohol and cancer risk (308kb)
Although alcohol is widely available and widely consumed, in 1988 it was classified by the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer as a Group 1 carcinogen. This is the highest classification available and means that it is a cause of cancer.
Bowel cancer: Finding it early (232kb)
Bowel cancer (or colorectal cancer) is the second biggest cancer killer in Australia (after lung cancer) but more than 90% of bowel cancers can be cured if found early.
Cut your cancer risk (83kb)
Most Australians will enjoy a long and healthy life. However, some people's cancer risk is affected by things that they do. You may be able to avoid many cancers by changing the way you live.
Faecal occult blood tests: Tests for early signs of bowel cancer (64kb)
An FOBT is a simple test for the early signs of bowel cancer. It involves samples from bowel motions (faeces).
Following a Healthy Lifestyle: Hints and Tips (64kb)
Our research shows a waist measurement over 100cm for men, and over 85cm for women, significantly increases the risk of cancer. We encourage people to measure their waist, and look at making changes to reduce their cancer risk if they exceed these measurements.
Genetics: Assessing a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer (178kb)
Many risk factors can influence a woman's chance of breast and ovarian cancer. This fact sheet provide information to assess a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer.
Genetics: Managing your breast cancer risk – lifestyle factors (206kb)
This fact sheet provides information about lifestyle factors that may affect your breast cancer risk.
Genetics: Managing your breast cancer risk – prevention strategies (222kb)
This fact sheet provides information about prevention strategies for breast cancer.
Genetics: Managing your breast cancer risk – screening methods (165kb)
This fact sheet provides information about screening methods for breast cancer.
Genetics: Managing your ovarian cancer risk – lifestyle factors (209kb)
This fact sheet provides information about lifestyle factors that may affect your ovarian cancer risk.
Genetics: Managing your ovarian cancer risk – prevention strategies (231kb)
This fact sheet provides information about prevention strategies for ovarian cancer.
Genetics: Reliable cancer and genetics websites (249kb)
Here’s a list of websites on genetics, cancer and related issues. They are user friendly, provide credible links and are easy to search.
Genetics: Telling your family that you are planning to have genetic testing (175kb)
This fact sheet aims to guide you through considerations for sharing your plans for genetic testing with other members of your family.
Genetics: Understanding genetic testing for breast cancer (167kb)
Genetic testing is offered to families at high risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer. These families have a family history of cancer that may be due to an inherited gene change. In Victoria, genetic testing is only offered through specialist Family Cancer Centres.
Healthy eating to reduce cancer risk (66kb)
To reduce the risk of certain cancers, aim for a healthy body weight, regular exercise and a healthy diet. Learn the types of food that we should include and limit in our diets.
Prostate problems (86kb)
Answers to some common questions about prostate problems. It's not a substitute for talking to your doctors or nurses but a guide to questions you may want to ask.
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