It can feel worth it to deal with side effects for long-term survival. But if this is unlikely, some people don’t want treatments that leave them exhausted or sick. Others choose treatment with significant side effects even if it gives only a small benefit for a short period of time.
- Before you start or stop treatment, think about the benefits, risks and burdens. Decisions rarely have to be made immediately.
- Ask yourself if you are feeling unwell from the treatment side effects, the cancer or the emotions of the diagnosis. Some or all of these may be treatable, and you may have a different outlook if you feel better.
- Check with your health care team whether your treatment can be adjusted to limit side effects.
- Speak to professionals, such as your doctor, a counsellor or social worker, who can help you decide what is important to you.
Refusal of medical treatment
If you are well enough to make clear decisions (called having capacity), you have the right to refuse any treatment offered, even if it goes against your doctor’s recommendation. Your medical team will usually still explain the proposed treatment and what will happen if you don’t have it. You can stop each treatment separately and at any time – you do not have to accept treatment on an all-or-nothing basis.
In all states and territories, you can complete an advance care directive that your health care team (nurses, doctors, paramedics, etc) must follow. This is a legal document in which you can give instructions about future medical treatment, including any treatment that you do not want to have. It will apply if you get too unwell (lose capacity) to make decisions.
If you have capacity, you can also appoint a substitute decision-maker to make treatment decisions if you become unable to.
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All updated content has been clinically reviewed by Dr Lucy Gately, Medical Oncologist, Alfred Health and Walter and Eliza Institute for Medical Research, VIC and Penny Neller, Project Manager, End of Life Law for Clinicians, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology, QLD. This edition is based on the previous edition, which was reviewed by the following panel: Dr Lucy Gately (see above); Dr Katherine Allsopp, Supportive and Palliative Care Specialist, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Prof Megan Best, The University of Notre Dame Australia and The University of Sydney, NSW; Dr Keiron Bradley, Palliative Care Consultant, Medical Director Palliative Care Program, Bethesda Health Care, WA; Craig Brewer, Consumer; Emeritus Professor Phyllis Butow, Psychologist, The University of Sydney and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Louise Durham, Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner Outpatients, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Palliative Care, QLD; Dr Roya Merie, Radiation Oncologist, Icon Cancer Centre, Concord, NSW; Penny Neller (see above); Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Xanthe Sansome, Program Director, Advance Care Planning Australia, VIC; Sparke Helmore Lawyers; Peter Spolc, Consumer.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
