Listed below are the healthcare professionals that will most likely work as a multidisciplinary team to treat you:
| general practitioner (GP) | assists you with treatment decisions and works in partnership with your specialist in providing ongoing care |
| medical oncologist | treats cancer with drug therapies such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy (systemic treatment) |
| radiation oncologist | treats cancer by prescribing and overseeing a course of radiation therapy |
| surgeon | surgically removes tumours and performs some biopsies; specialist cancer surgeons are called surgical oncologists |
| haematologist | diagnoses and treats diseases of the bone marrow, blood and lymphatic system; prescribes chemotherapy and other drug therapies |
| nurses | administer drugs and provide care, information and support throughout treatment; may be a community nurse, specialist palliative care nurse or a palliative care nurse practitioner |
| community nurse | visits you at home to supervise medical care, assesses your needs for supportive care, and liaises with your GP and MDT as required |
| cancer care coordinator | coordinates your care, liaises with other members of the MDT and supports you and your family throughout treatment; care may also be coordinated by a clinical nurse consultant (CNC) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) |
| palliative care team | specialise in pain and symptom control and psychological support to maximise wellbeing and improve quality of life |
| dietitian | recommends an eating plan to follow during and after treatment |
| pharmacist | dispenses medicines and gives advice about dosage and side effects |
| physiotherapist | helps with maintaining movement and mobility, and preventing further injury |
| occupational therapist | assists in adapting your living and working environment to help you resume usual activities after treatment |
| social worker | links you to support services and helps you with emotional, practical and financial issues |
| psychologist, clinical psychiatrist | help you manage your emotional response to diagnosis and treatment |
| spiritual care practitioner | talks about spiritual matters and helps you reflect on your life and search for meaning; also known as spiritual care adviser, chaplain, pastoral carer |
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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