People may experience many different symptoms when they have advanced cancer. Common symptoms include pain, nausea, loss of appetite, breathlessness and tiredness. While it may not be possible to control all symptoms, the suggestions here can help make you as comfortable as possible. As the disease progresses, the intensity of symptoms and how often you experience them will vary, and this may affect what you are able to do.
The relief of symptoms is one of the aims of the palliative care team. Contact them to work out what help you need.
Learn more about these symptoms and how to cope with them:
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Prof Nicholas Glasgow, Head, Calvary Palliative and End of Life Care Research Institute, ACT; Kathryn Bennett, Nurse Practitioner, Eastern Palliative Care Association Inc., VIC; Dr Maria Ftanou, Head, Clinical Psychology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and Research Fellow, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, VIC; Erin Ireland, Legal Counsel, Cancer Council NSW; Nikki Johnston, Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, Clare Holland House, Calvary Public Hospital Bruce, ACT; Judy Margolis, Consumer; Linda Nolte, Program Director, Advance Care Planning Australia; Kate Reed- Cox, Nurse Practitioner, National Clinical Advisor, Palliative Care Australia; Helena Rodi, Project Manager, Advance Care Planning Australia; Kaitlyn Thorne, Coordinator Cancer Support, 13 11 20, Cancer Council Queensland.
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