Lung cancer

If you’re affected by lung cancer, you may have many questions about how it is diagnosed, treatment options, side effects and how to stay well. You can find trustworthy information about all aspects of your experience below.

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What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer begins when abnormal cells in the lungs grow and multiply in an uncontrolled way. Get an overview of lung cancer, what causes it and who gets it.

Symptoms

Learn about the common symptoms of lung cancer and when to see your doctor.

Getting diagnosed

Find out about the tests for lung cancer, how it is diagnosed and staged, and who will provide your care.

Treating lung cancer

Treatment for lung cancer will depend on the type of lung cancer you have, the stage of the cancer, how well you can breathe and your general health. Read about surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy for lung cancer.

Managing symptoms

Lung cancer can cause breathlessness, pain, appetite loss, fatigue and trouble sleeping. Learn how these common symptoms can be managed and kept under control.

Living with lung cancer

Learn about follow-up care, what happens if the cancer comes back after treatment or doesn’t go away, and how to look after your physical and mental health.

Questions for your doctorAsking your doctor questions will help you make informed decisions. Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask.

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Diagnosis

What type of lung cancer do I have?
Has the cancer spread? If so, where has it spread? How fast is it growing?
Are the latest tests and treatments for this cancer available in this hospital?
Will a multidisciplinary team be involved in my care?
Are there clinical guidelines for this type of cancer?

Treatment

What treatment do you recommend? What is the aim of the treatment?
Are there other treatment choices for me? If not, why not?
If I don’t have the treatment, what should I expect?
How long do I have to make a decision?
I’m thinking of getting a second opinion. Can you recommend anyone?
How long will treatment take? Will I have to stay in hospital?
Are there any out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Medicare or my private health cover? Can the cost be reduced if I can’t afford it?
How will we know if the treatment is working?
Are there any clinical trials or research studies I could join?

Side effects

What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?
Will I have a lot of pain? What will be done about this?
Can I work, drive and do my normal activities while having treatment?
Will the treatment affect my sex life and fertility?
Should I change my diet or physical activity during or after treatment?
Are there any complementary therapies that might help me?

After treatment

How often will I need check-ups after treatment?
If the cancer returns, how will I know? What treatments could I have?

The information here is about primary lung cancer only. When cancer starts in another part of the body and spreads to the lungs, it is called secondary or metastatic cancer in the lung. Read about managing advanced cancer.

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