After a diagnosis

Understanding Treatment

Choose a cancer guide to explore treatment options and questions to discuss with your team.

Download patient and family bookletPDF · 15 pages · 1.1 MB

How is my treatment plan decided?

Your team considers the type and stage of cancer, test results, your overall health and your preferences. The aim may be to cure the cancer, control it or relieve symptoms. Ask what the aim is for you.

These guides describe general options. Your team will confirm which treatments are suitable and where they are available. PMGH oncology clinical services are scheduled to begin in December 2026.

Side effects and support during treatment

Effects depend on the treatment. You will not necessarily experience all of them. Chemotherapy can cause tiredness, sickness, hair changes and an increased risk of infection. Other forms of Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) have different effects.

Tell the team about problems early. Follow your prescribed anti-sickness and pain medicines, and ask for help with eating, drinking or daily activities. Do not change treatment or start supplements without discussing them with your team.

Supportive and palliative care can help with pain, other symptoms and emotional concerns throughout care, alongside cancer treatment.

How family and friends can help

Questions to ask before treatment starts

What benefit do you expect, and what are the alternatives?
What side effects should I expect, including effects that may appear later?
Could treatment affect fertility, work or caring for my family?
How many visits will I need, and what travel or costs should I plan for?
Who do I contact during and outside clinic hours if I become unwell?

During treatment: when to get urgent help

After chemotherapy, a temperature of 38°C or higher, shaking chills or suddenly feeling very unwell needs immediate contact with your treatment team. Follow any lower fever threshold they give you. If they cannot be reached promptly, go to the nearest emergency service.

Infection can occur without fever. If you have no thermometer but suddenly feel very unwell, seek help.

Severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, uncontrolled bleeding, collapse, new confusion or a seizure needs emergency care.
Back pain with new leg weakness, numbness, difficulty walking or bladder or bowel problems may mean pressure on the spinal cord. Get help immediately.
Repeated vomiting, inability to drink, severe diarrhoea or very little urine needs urgent assessment.

Tell staff that you are receiving cancer treatment and when your last dose was given. Bring records if readily available, but do not delay care to collect them or wait for an email reply.

Sources and information date

Sources checked: 16 October 2026. General patient information. Your team will give you an individual treatment and safety plan.