For many people, lung cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage. In these cases, the main goal of treatment is to manage symptoms and keep them under control for as long as possible. This chapter describes procedures and strategies for managing the most common symptoms of lung cancer. As you may have several symptoms, you may be given a combination of treatments. Keep in mind that you won’t necessarily experience every symptom listed here.
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Lung Foundation Australia can provide more information about living with lung cancer. You can also contact their Lung Cancer Support Nurse by calling 1800 654 301.
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A/Prof Brett Hughes, Senior Staff Specialist Medical Oncologist, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, The Prince Charles Hospital and The University of Queensland, QLD; Dr Brendan Dougherty, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Specialist, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Kim Greco, Nurse Consultant – Lung Cancer, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Dr Susan Harden, Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; A/Prof Rohit Joshi, Medical Oncologist, GenesisCare and Lyell McEwin Hospital, Director, Cancer Research SA; Kathlene Robson, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council ACT; Peter Spolc, Consumer; Nicole Taylor, Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Cancer Specialist Nurse, Canberra Hospital, ACT; Rosemary Taylor, Consumer; A/Prof Gavin M Wright, Director of Surgical Oncology, St Vincent’s Hospital and Research and Education Lead – Lung Cancer, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, VIC.
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Caring for someone with cancer
Learn how to cope and get support if you are caring for someone with cancer
Cancer information
Nutrition after cancer treatment
Healthy eating habits to help you maintain good nutrition
Pain and cancer
Learn ways to manage pain