Genetics and risk - Cancer Council Victoria

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Genetics and risk

Family history and cancer

Only a small percentage of certain cancers are due to an inherited faulty gene.

Genetic testing and counselling

There are many medical, ethical, social and legal issues to consider before having genetic testing.

Familial cancer centres

Familial cancer centres support people worried about their risk of developing cancer due to their family history.

Cancer information

Questions about cancer?

Call or email our experienced cancer nurses for information and support.

Contact a cancer nurse

Cancer information
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    A cancer is rare or less common when it only affects a small number of people.
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Managing daily life
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  - Emotions
    It is normal to experience a range of emotions when you have cancer.
- Grief
  - Grief
    Grief is the process of responding to loss and it can affect all parts of your life.
- Nutrition
  - Nutrition
    Eating well is beneficial during and after cancer treatment.
- Exercise
  - Exercise
    Aerobic, strength, flexibility and pelvic floor exercises for people with cancer.
- Cancer and pregnancy
  - Cancer and pregnancy
    Being diagnosed with cancer while you are pregnant is rare, but it can happen.
- Sexuality and intimacy
  - Sexuality and intimacy
    Cancer may affect the role sexuality and intimacy play in your life.
- Learning to relax
  - Learning to relax
    Coping with cancer is challenging and it is important to look after yourself.
- Managing special occasions
  - Managing special occasions
    Tips to help you make the most of special occasions and manage holidays.
- Living well after cancer
  - Living well after cancer
    You may continue to face challenges even after cancer treatment has ended.
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    Learn about cancer and COVID-19, and updates about our support services.
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    Speak to our trusted and compassionate cancer nurses on 13 11 20 or via email.
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    Information on dealing with, planning for and looking after somone at the end of life.
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    Caring can be rewarding but also challenging, both physically and emotionally.
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    Information and support programs related to legal and financial matters.
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    Free, short term phone counselling services to help you work through any cancer related concerns.
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    Free short breaks for those affected by cancer and their families.
- Cancer services guide
  - Cancer services guide
    A guide to support services available to Victorians affected by cancer.
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    Cancer information and support services for LGBTIQ+ communities.
- Aboriginal communities
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    Cancer information and support services for Victorian Aboriginal communities.
Prevention
- Prevention
- Get checked
- Limit alcohol
- Be a healthy weight
  - Be a healthy weight
    Convincing evidence links obesity to various cancers.
- Eat a healthy diet
  - Eat a healthy diet
    We recommend a healthy body weight, regular exercise and a healthy diet.
- Be SunSmart
  - Be SunSmart
    It's preventable but nearly 2,000 Australians die of skin cancer each year.
- Quit smoking
  - Quit smoking
    Each year 15,000 Australians are diagnosed with smoking-related cancer.
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    Evidence links physical activity to reduced breast and colon cancer risk.
- Workplaces
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    Tips to cut your cancer risk in the workplace.
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    Get the latest cancer research news.
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    Search the vast number of projects we've been involved in over the years.
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  - Meet our researchers
    Team of researchers who have expanded our understanding of cancer.
- Our Forgotten Cancers Program
  - Our Forgotten Cancers Program
    Improving survival for less common and low survival cancers.
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    Learn about our research ethics and research practice guidelines.
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    Principles for the responsible and ethical conduct of research.
- McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer
  - McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer
    Find out how we use the law to prevent cancer and to protect people affected by it.
- Victorian Cancer Registry
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer
- Cancer Epidemiology Division
Get involved
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    Learn more about philanthropy at Cancer Council Victoria.
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    There are many ways corporates can support our work.
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    Create a lasting space to remember your loved one or give in memory.
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- Donate a holiday
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    Give a cancer patient some time away in your holiday home.
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Health professionals
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    Learn about cancer and COVID-19, and support services for your patients.
- News
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    Read our latest news for health professionals.
- Cancer support referral
  - Cancer support referral
    Request a call back from a cancer nurse for one of your patients or carers.
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    Order a limited number of our free booklets and brochures.
- Education and training
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    Information for Nurse Cervical Screening providers.
- Optimal Care Pathways
  - Optimal Care Pathways
    The Optimal Care Pathways (formerly Patient Management Frameworks) were developed to provide a consistent statewide approach to care management in each tumour stream.
- ACCESS Program
  - ACCESS Program
    A program to improve access to supportive care for people affected by cancer.
- Clinical Network
  - Clinical Network
    Network of specialist health care professionals.
- Community health
  - Community health
    Resources and support for Community Health Professionals.
- Clinical practice guides
  - Clinical practice guides
    Medical guides for specific cancers.
- Financial and legal referrals
  - Financial Counselling Program
  - Pro Bono Services
- Resources for dietitians
  - Resources for dietitians
    To support nutritional management of oncology patients.
- General practice
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  - Cancer counselling service
    Free, short-term phone counselling service to help your patients.
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