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 |
To find cancer specialists, multidisciplinary teams and hospitals in NSW or ACT, you can visit the NSW Government website CanRefer.
More resources
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.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
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