Cancer diagnosis and the extent (whether it has spread) is determined with a number of tests. These tests are unique to the cancer type. The tests you may receive can include blood tests, ultrasound / CT / MRI scans, urine tests and possibly a biopsy. All this will be discussed with you at your appointment by the doctor or Clinical Nurse Specialist. You will only receive the relevant tests you require. Once a diagnosis is made, you will meet with various specialists to discuss what the diagnosis means, the next steps and the treatment options available to you. It is a good idea to bring along a support person of your choice to these appointments as often there is a lot of information to take in. We also recommend writing down a list of any questions you would like answering.

Depending on the type of cancer, the site of the cancer and whether the cancer has spread to other areas will determine the treatment options available to you. Some of those options may include one or a variety of the following: Surgery Chemotherapy infusions, injections or tablets Targeted Therapies Immunotherapies Stem cell transplants Radiotherapy If these are an option for you, your specialist will discuss these with you at your appointments.

Chemotherapy reduces the production of white blood cells made by your bone marrow. This can have a major effect on your body's ability to fight infections. If you are on chemotherapy, it is important to have infections treated quickly with antibiotics that may need to be given at hospital. If an infection is left untreated it can become more difficult to control and potentially become life threatening. If you: Ø Develop a fever i.e. a temperature reading of 38 degrees Celsius or more or Ø Feel suddenly unwell even with a normal temperature which is 36-37 degrees Celsius or Ø Experience shivering when you are feeling hot or cold Please seek medical advice immediately ANY time of the night or day. This may mean going to your nearest emergency department. NB: Remember to make sure you have a thermometer at home before you start your treatment.

Sometimes to administer cancer medications directly into the bloodstream, an implantable port or PICC line is required. These can be required for certain types of medications or when your veins are difficult to access. A PICC line is a soft plastic tube inserted into a vein in your upper arm and can be used to administer medications and take blood, an implantable port is also a soft plastic tube inserted into a vein but is usually tunnelled under the skin in the chest. If either of these lines is required, this will be discussed with the specialist and nursing staff.