About Cancer
Cancer affects a large number of Australians, both directly and indirectly.
Cancer Council Australia provides credible, up-to-date information about different types of cancer, diagnosis and treatment.
You will also find information about genetic and family history aspects of cancer, help finding a treatment specialist and support for patients, family and carers.
What is cancer?
Cancer is a disease of the body's cells. Normally cells grow and multiply in a controlled way, however, if something causes a mistake to occur in the cells' genetic blueprints, this control can be lost. Cancer is the term used to describe collections of these cells, growing and potentially spreading within the body. As cancerous cells can arise from almost any type of tissue cell, cancer actually refers to about 100 different diseases. Click here to learn more about cancer.
Types of cancer
This section provides an overview of a number of common cancers in Australia, looking at incidence, mortality, prevention, detection, symptoms, risk factors and treatment.
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Bladder
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Bowel
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Brain
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Breast
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Cancer of unknown primary
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Cervical
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Head and neck
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Kidney
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Leukaemia
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Lung
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Lymphoma
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Ovarian
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Pancreatic
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Prostate
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Skin
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Stomach
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Testicular
The information contained in this section should not be used for individual medical advice. Please see your doctor if you have concerns or specific questions relating to your health.
Detailed information on the different types of cancer.
More about types of cancer click here.
Causes of cancer
We do not know all of the risks and causes of cancer. However, there are a number of chemical, physical and biological agents that have been shown to trigger the mistakes in the cell blueprint that cause cancer. These are called carcinogens and include tobacco, ultraviolet radiation and asbestos.
A number of cancers share risk factors:
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one in nine cancers, and one in five cancer deaths, are due to smoking
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about 3% of cancers are related to alcohol consumption
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many cancers occur as a direct result of dietary influences, from infectious agents or exposure to radiation (especially skin cancers from ultraviolet radiation)
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some cancers result from inherited ‘faulty’ genes
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cancer is NOT caused by injury or stress.
It is important to note that not all cancers are associated to the risk factors mentioned above. Cancer can sometimes develop without any specific causes.
There are a number of chemical, physical and biological agents that can cause cancer.
More about causes of cancer click here.
Early detection
Some cancers can be detected at an early stage when treatment is likely to be more effective. Tests have been developed that can detect these cancers well before any symptoms are present.
Tests are currently available through national population-based screening programs for breast cancer, cervical cancer and bowel cancer. These tests are provided free of charge for people who are eligible.
It is also a good idea to get to know your own body. If you notice any changes, such as a lump in your breast or a spot growing on your skin, see your doctor.
The information contained in this section should not be used for individual medical advice. Please see your doctor if you have concerns or specific questions relating to your health.
It is vitally important to detect cancer early so that treatment is likely to be more effective.
More about early detection click here.
After a diagnosis
Following a diagnosis of cancer, you and your family are likely to have many questions. Our fact sheets have been designed to help answer some of the more common questions:
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Coping with a cancer diagnosis
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After a diagnosis of breast cancer
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After a diagnosis of ovarian cancer
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After a diagnosis of bowel cancer
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After a diagnosis of prostate cancer
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Understanding chemotherapy
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Understanding radiation therapy
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Complementary therapies and cancer
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Questions to ask your doctor
If you need more information or would like to talk to someone call Cancer Council 13 11 20 (local call cost anywhere in Australia).
Disclaimer: The information contained in these fact sheets is not a substitute for, and is not intended to replace, independent professional advice. Users should consider the need to obtain any appropriate professional advice relevant to their own particular circumstances.
Read there fact sheets on how you can cope with a cancer diagnosis.
More about after a diagnosis click here.
Treatment
There are various approaches to treating cancer, many of which involve combinations of therapies to provide the most effective treatment.
Your doctor should discuss treatment options with you and explain the benefits and risks involved. Following is an overview of some cancer treatments. For information about treating specific cancers see types of cancer.
Find out about the different benefits and risks involved in cancer treatment.
More about treatment click here.
Find a specialist
As different types of cancer behave very differently, doctors usually specialise in particular types of cancer or areas of cancer treatment.
Click here to find out about the medical specialties and sub-specialties and advice on how to choose a specialist.
Cancer Council's find a specialist directory can assist those affected by cancer (patients, their families and carers), as well as general practitioners and other specialists, to find a cancer specialist.
Doctors usually specialise in particular types of cancer or areas of treatment.
More about find a specialist click here.
Support
An estimated 128,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Australia this year. Providing support for cancer patients, people living with cancer, their families and carers is a key activity of Cancer Councils around Australia.
Cancer Council 13 11 20 provides a confidential telephone support and counselling service (cost of a local call). When you call you will automatically be directed to the Cancer Council Helpline operating in your state or territory.
Most Cancer Council support services are provided at a local level. Each state and territory Cancer Council offers a range of patient support facilities (details can be found on individual websites, see links below), these often include:
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counselling services
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support groups and networks
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education groups, programs and information
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practical assistance
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accommodation
To find out about patient support services in your local area, please click on your state or territory in the map here.
Online resources
Access other credible online resources about cancer. More about online resources click here.
FAQ
Get the answers to the most frequently asked questions about cancer.
More about faq click here.
Cancer ebooks
Download our free cancer e-books about chemotherapy, caring for someone with cancer, radiotherapy and surgery. More about cancer ebooks click here.
Information contained in this document is not intended to replace medical advice and any questions regarding a medical diagnosis or treatment should be directed to a medical practitioner.
