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Life after treatment

Overview

Thanks to improvements in treatment, more people are surviving cancer. For some, life returns to familiar routines while for others there are new challenges. These may include physical, emotional, financial and social concerns.

Specialist cancer recovery and rehabilitation services exist to offer care and support as you move into wellness. There are many exercise and education programs available to aid recovery.

For some people side effects may continue for some time. For others they may start a long time after treatment ends (late effects); these may require specialist care at a late effects clinic.

Learn more about life after treatment

 

Ask your treatment team

Most cancer treatment centres will have a rehabilitation service or can refer you to a local community service. Once active treatment ends it is worth asking your treatment team for a referral to a specialist cancer recovery or rehabilitation service.

Managing your health and wellbeing after cancer 

Finding the right health care and support is important to your recovery and ongoing health and wellbeing. Support can be sought from the following health services:

  • Your family doctor (GP)
  • Your local health service may run programs and services including support groups and wellness programs
  • Your local Integrated Cancer Service
  • The treatment centre that provided your treatment

The health and wellbeing management of cancer survivors is a developing field of healthcare. New services and programs are being implemented across Victoria. Speak with your treatment team, GP or one of our experienced and understanding cancer nurses for information on what is available in your area. Call 13 11 20 or email askanurse@cancervic.org.au; to speak with a nurse in your own language call 13 14 50.

Questions to ask about this service

When looking at a service it is important to ask questions about how the service works before you decide to engage with them. Below is a list of questions you might like to ask when enquiring about a service.

Am I eligible?

Do I need a referral?

How much will this cost me?

Is there a wait time?

What services do you offer?

Will I be treated as an inpatient or an outpatient?

 

More information

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Disclaimer Disclaimer

The inclusion of a service in this directory does not imply any endorsement of or association with that service by Cancer Council Victoria. It should not be considered exhaustive or taken as specific advice.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support services Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support services

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Accommodation Accommodation

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

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Cancer support organisations Cancer support organisations

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Caring for someone with cancer Caring for someone with cancer

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Children with cancer Children with cancer

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Clinical trials and research Clinical trials and research

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Read more

Complementary therapies and medicines Complementary therapies and medicines

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Connecting with others Connecting with others

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Emotional support Emotional support

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

End of life care End of life care

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Exercise and fitness Exercise and fitness

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Family history and cancer risk Family history and cancer risk

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Fertility Fertility

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Financial services Financial services

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Food and nutrition support Food and nutrition support

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

GP services and bulk billing GP services and bulk billing

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

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Hair loss Hair loss

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Help at home Help at home

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Help with speech Help with speech

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Life after treatment Life after treatment

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Managing lymphoedema (swelling) Managing lymphoedema (swelling)

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Managing stomas and incontinence Managing stomas and incontinence

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Mouth and oral health Mouth and oral health

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

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Multicultural support services Multicultural support services

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

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Pain management Pain management

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Palliative care Palliative care

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Physical therapy Physical therapy

Information you need to know.

People who have a genetic risk of cancer may be referred to one of these family cancer clinics.

 

Learn more

Prosthetics and reconstruction aids Prosthetics and reconstruction aids

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

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Sexuality and intimacy Sexuality and intimacy

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Support for children and families affected by cancer Support for children and families affected by cancer

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Support for LGBTIQ+ communities Support for LGBTIQ+ communities

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Support for people living with a disability Support for people living with a disability

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

Learn more

Travelling to treatment Travelling to treatment

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

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Treatment centres Treatment centres

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

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Workplace Workplace

Information you need to know.

Learn about the questions to ask, costs, eligibility, health professionals you might see and other useful information.

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