A plain-language overview of what cancer is, how it's diagnosed, common treatment approaches, and what to expect during and after treatment.
WHAT IS CANCER?
Cancer is a group of diseases in which some cells in the body begin to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way, and can spread into surrounding tissue or to other parts of the body. There are more than a hundred distinct types of cancer, named according to the organ or cell type where they begin — for example, breast cancer, oral cancer, or lung cancer.
A cancer diagnosis does not mean the same thing for every person. The type of cancer, its stage (how far it has spread), and a person's overall health all shape what treatment looks like and what to expect. This is why the information on this site is general in nature — always rely on your own treating doctor for guidance specific to your situation.
HOW CANCER IS DIAGNOSED
Diagnosis usually involves a combination of the following, though not every person needs every test:
- A physical examination and detailed medical history
- Imaging tests — X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, or PET scan
- Blood tests, including tumour marker tests where relevant
- A biopsy — removing a small sample of tissue to be examined under a microscope, which is usually the step that confirms a cancer diagnosis
- Staging investigations, to understand whether and how far the cancer has spread
UNDERSTANDING STAGE AND GRADE
Stage describes the size of a cancer and how far it has spread in the body, usually described from Stage 0 (very early, localised) to Stage IV (spread to distant parts of the body). Grade describes how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope, which relates to how quickly a cancer is likely to grow. Both influence treatment planning, and your oncology team is best placed to explain what your specific stage and grade mean for you.
COMMON TREATMENT APPROACHES
Most cancer treatment plans use one or a combination of the following:
- Surgery — to remove the tumour and, where needed, nearby tissue
- Chemotherapy — medicines that work throughout the body to destroy or slow cancer cell growth
- Radiation therapy — high-energy beams targeted at the cancer to destroy cells in a specific area
- Targeted therapy and immunotherapy — newer treatments that work on specific features of cancer cells or help the immune system fight cancer
- Hormone therapy — used for cancers that are influenced by hormones, such as some breast and prostate cancers
Treatment plans are individualised. Two people with the same type of cancer may be treated quite differently depending on stage, overall health, and other factors.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING TREATMENT
Treatment can affect people differently. Common experiences that many patients report include fatigue, changes in appetite, nausea, hair loss (with some chemotherapy drugs), and emotional ups and downs. These are addressed in more detail in the Diet & Lifestyle and Emotional Support sections of this site. It is always worth discussing any new or worsening symptom with your treating team promptly rather than waiting.
AFTER TREATMENT — SURVIVORSHIP
Life after active treatment brings its own adjustments — follow-up care schedules, watching for signs of recurrence, and rebuilding physical and emotional strength. Survivorship is a distinct phase with its own needs, and this site's Emotional Support and Caregiver Corner sections address it directly.