Overview
Some days will feel easier than others when you have advanced or metastatic cancer, but you’re not alone.
Your GP and cancer care team can help you manage symptoms and side effect such as pain, fatigue and eating changes.
Eating foods that you enjoy, and staying as active as possible, may help improve your energy and overall wellbeing.
What's on this page
Your healthcare team
Getting the care and support you need for incurable but treatable cancer can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to manage it on your own. Your GP can be one of the central health professionals in your team. They can be your main point of contact between specialist appointments.
Your GP can:
- help you manage your overall health and wellbeing, including other health conditions
- refer you to other health professionals, such as physiotherapists, dietitians or psychologists
- support you between hospital visits.
Your cancer care team (e.g. oncologists and cancer nurses) can sometimes provide this type of support too, but they will often focus mainly on your cancer treatment. Together with your GP, they work as a team around you.
Care can look different depending on where you live. Some people receive most of their care through a hospital, while others are supported by a mix of hospital and local services. If you are unsure who to contact about symptoms, appointments or support services, ask your cancer care team.
Some hospitals and treatment centres have health professionals called cancer care coordinators, nurse navigators or specialist nurses. These health professionals can coordinate appointments, explain treatment plans, connect you with support services and answer questions between visits. Ask your healthcare team if this type of support is available.
Managing symptoms and side effects
People living with advanced or metastatic cancer can have a range of symptoms, which may change over time. Some symptoms are caused by the cancer itself, while others are related to treatment. There are many ways to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Your cancer team can support you, and you may also see health professionals who specialise in pain and symptom control. They are called the palliative or supportive care team.
- Fatigue – feeling very tired, even after rest
- Brain fog – trouble concentrating or remembering things
- Peripheral neuropathy – tingling, numbness or pain in the hands or feet
- Lymphoedema – swelling caused by a build-up of fluid
- Pain – new or ongoing pain
- Eating changes – discomfort eating or drinking; problems with taste and smell
- Mood changes – feeling low, anxious, or emotionally different
- Fertility – issues temporary or permanent infertility (unable to conceive a child)
Let your healthcare team know about any changes – even small ones. Getting support early can make a difference.
Ways to support your wellbeing
Living with advanced or metastatic cancer can affect your everyday life in different ways. Your energy, emotions and how you feel physically may change from day to day. Some days will feel easier than others.
Looking after yourself is often about finding small, manageable ways to support your wellbeing and doing what feels right for you.
Staying socially connected
Staying socially connected
Cancer can sometimes feel isolating, especially if treatment or fatigue makes it harder to socialise. Staying connected with people who matter to you can help you cope better.
How you connect with others may look different at different times. Some days you may enjoy seeing friends or family in person. On other days, a phone call or text message may feel like enough. It is okay to set boundaries and let people know what support feels helpful for you.
Eating well
Eating well
Eating healthily can become more challenging for people with advanced or metastatic cancer. Appetite loss, taste changes, nausea and fatigue may affect what and how much you can eat. Some treatments can also cause mouth and throat soreness, which can make it uncomfortable to eat. Choose foods you enjoy and that help you maintain strength and feel as well as possible. Some people find it easier to:
- eat smaller meals more often
- keep easy-to-prepare foods available
- focus on nourishing foods when appetite is low
- drink enough fluids throughout the day.
A dietitian can provide advice if eating becomes difficult. To find an accredited practising dietitian, contact Dietitians Australia on 1800 812 942.
For more information, see Nutrition for people living with cancer.
Keeping active
Keeping active
Exercise can help improve energy, mood, sleep and overall wellbeing for many people living with cancer. Even small amounts of exercise (e.g. short walks, light stretching) can help. What is safe for you will depend on your health, symptoms and treatment.
A physiotherapist or exercise physiologist can create an exercise plan tailored to you. You can find a physiotherapist near you through the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s online directory. Find an accredited exercise physiologist near you.
For more information, see Exercise for people living with cancer.
Ask your GP if you’re eligible for a chronic condition management plan. This may help cover some of the costs of up to 5 visits each year to allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, dietitians or exercise physiologists.
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