Finding information about cancer
- Does the internet have good information about cancer and treatment options?
- What internet sites does Cancer Council WA recommend?
- How can I search these quality internet sites with one simple search?
- What is cancer?
- How do I find information about a specific type of cancer?
- How is cancer treated?
- What is radiotherapy?
- What is chemotherapy?
- What other type of cancer treatments are there?
- Where can I find a list of cancer publications and resources?
- Does the Cancer Council WA have library services that I can use?
Does the internet have good information about cancer and treatment options?
The internet gives access to a large number of people and organisations that publish information about cancer. However it is important to understand that the internet is open to anyone who wishes to publish information and there is no regulation of the information or its accuracy. It can be distressing to learn new information if you are not ready for it or if there is no one around to discuss it with. Remember that everyone is different and not all information you obtain will apply to your situation.
What internet sites does Cancer Council WA recommend?
Cancer Council WA has compiled a list of cancer related websites that it has reviewed and judged to contain quality information on cancer.
You can also download our brochure Cancer information on the internet (pdf, 1.9mb).
How can I search quality internet sites with one simple search?
Within our website you can use the Search Cancer on the Web function to search multiple Australian and International cancer related sites with one search.
These sites have been reviewed by Cancer Council WA and contain quality information on cancer.
What is cancer?
Cancer is a disease of the body’s cells. The body is constantly making new cells to replace worn-out ones, to grow, or to heal itself after an injury. Normally cells grow and reproduce themselves in an orderly way. Occasionally, however, some cells reproduce themselves in an uncontrolled way and these abnormal cells may grow into a lump that is called a tumour.
Tumours can be benign (not a cancer) or malignant (a cancer). Benign tumours do not spread to other parts of the body. A malignant tumour is made up of cancer cells. These cells can spread beyond the area where the cancer first developed. If not treated the cancer cells may invade and destroy surrounding tissues. Sometimes cells break away from the original (primary) cancer and maybe carried to other organs. When these cells reach a new site they may continue to grow and form another tumour at that site. This is called a secondary cancer or metastasis.
It is important to understand that cancer is not a single disease with a single type of treatment. There are more than 200 different kinds of cancer, each with its own name and treatment.
How do I find information about a specific type of cancer?
Please see our page on cancer types for information and links about specific types of cancer, including links to several excellent A to Z lists of cancer types from other websites.
You can also search multiple Australian and international cancer related sites with one search with our Search Cancer on the Web search engine.
How is cancer treated?
Your treatment will depend on the type of cancer you have, where it began and whether it has spread to other parts of your body. It will also depend on such things as your general health and the type of treatment you choose.
Most cancers are treated by surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy (drug treatment). Often more than one of these treatments is used. Other treatments that can work with some cancers are immunotherapy and hormone therapy.
The Living with cancer booklet (pdf, 677kb) takes a broad look at cancer and provides some useful strategies and information on topics such as, what is cancer, treatment and research. Information is also included on diet hints, understanding symptoms, cancer pain, lifestyle and feelings. This booklet has been prepared to help you live with cancer.
It is a 28 page booklet designed as a guide for people with cancer, their family and friends.
What is radiotherapy?
Radiotherapy is a form of treatment that can control the growth of many types of cancers. Radiotherapy is the use of radiation to kill or injure cancer cells so they cannot keep growing. Radiotherapy may be used before surgery (preoperative radiotherapy), or after surgery (postoperative radiotherapy) to destroy cancer cells that cannot be removed surgically. In some cases, radiotherapy is used in combination with chemotherapy to treat the cancer.
The aim of radiotherapy can be:
- To cure - many cancers can be completely cured by radiotherapy on its own or when combined with other treatments.
- As a temporary control - when it is not possible to cure a cancer, radiotherapy may be used to keep the cancer under control for some time by making it smaller or stopping it from spreading.
- For symptom relief - radiotherapy is often able to relieve distressing cancer symptoms such as pain so you feel as well as possible.
- As adjuvant therapy - when radiotherapy is used with another treatment, such as surgery, to improve the chances of cure, it is called adjuvant radiotherapy.
For more information on radiotherapy download Understanding Radiation therapy booklet (pdf, 1977kb) which is a 28 page booklet designed as a guide for people with cancer, their family and friends.
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to treat cancer. It works by destroying or slowing the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy mainly affects fast-growing cells, like cancer cells. There are many different types of chemotherapy drugs. Usually, people have several at the same time but sometimes people have only one drug. Your oncologist will discuss your treatment options with you.
You may like to read more information about chemotherapy. It is sometimes worrying to read about the possible side effects of chemotherapy. The Understanding Chemotherapy booklet (pdf, 322kb) provides explanations and that may be helpful and dispel some of your concerns and fears. This booklet explains the use of chemotherapy, how it is given, the possible side effects and how to manage them, special issues, diet and supportive care. It is a 32 page booklet designed as a guide for people with cancer, their family and friends.
What other type of treatments are there?
- Hormone therapy reduces the hormones that cause some cancer cells to grow.
- Immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells.
- Adjuvant therapy is when a treatment used to assist your main treatment and is used in addition to the main treatment.
People often have more than one type of treatment one after the other or together. This is called multi-modality treatment. Many cancers can be cured using these treatments, either alone or in combination. When a cure is unlikely, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other treatments can relieve symptoms and help you feel as well as possible often for long periods of time. It is important to talk with your oncologist, doctor or nurse about any concerns you have before, during and after treatment.
For more detailed information on the use of the different therapy treatments for cancer download the booklet Living with cancer - A guide for people with cancer, their carers and friends (pdf, 677kb).
You may also like to see the complete list of booklets on cancer treatments produced by the Cancer Council WA.
Where can I find a list of cancer publications and resources?
We have a comprehensive range of publications and resources (any downloadable), including booklets, CDs, brochures, poster etc. Please visit our Cancer Council WA publications page for a complete list of all Cancer Council WA publications, including those for health professionals, students and workplaces.
Does the Cancer Council WA have library services that I can use?
Yes. The Cancer Council WA Library services provide a gateway to information about cancer and related issues from Australia and around the world. Health professionals, patients and members of the public are all very welcome to access these services.
