Making treatment decisions

Understanding your options

Your doctor will recommend treatments based on the type of cancer, where it began, if it has spread, your age and general health, and your preferences.

If you are feeling like everything is happening too fast or you are overwhelmed with information, ask your doctor about how long you can take to make decisions. You can accept or refuse any treatment offered, and change your mind at any time.

You can also ask to speak to another specialist to get a second opinion. Doctors are used to this. You can get a second opinion and stay with your current specialist, or you may choose to change doctors. Ask your GP, oncologist or cancer care coordinator to help you find a doctor for a second opinion.

Where will I have treatment?

Living in a rural and regional area may mean you need to make choices about where to have treatment. Many people will need to travel for appointments and treatment. Even travelling to the nearest town or city may mean hours on the road.

Australia has some excellent regional cancer centres and hospitals that treat many different types of cancers. If you have a more common cancer type and are having treatment in the public system, you may be able to have treatment at the nearest regional cancer centre. For some rare cancers, you may be referred to a specialist centre with particular expertise and experience. This may mean a longer wait time and more travel if it’s not nearby.

If you need to travel for treatment, you may be able to get help with transport and accommodation costs.

What is shared care?

Shared care is when different health professionals work together to support your cancer care. 

For example, your specialist may oversee your treatment while your GP helps manage symptoms, prescriptions, referrals and follow-up care closer to home. Ask your doctor if shared care is an option for you and if it might help you stay closer to home.

What are my treatment options?

Shared care is when different health professionals work together to support your cancer care. 

For example, your specialist may oversee your treatment while your GP helps manage symptoms, prescriptions, referrals and follow-up care closer to home. Ask your doctor if shared care is an option for you and if it might help you stay closer to home.

What is informed consent?

Before any treatment starts, your doctor must explain what it involves, other options, possible side effects and risks, and the likely costs.

When you understand this information and agree to treatment, this is called informed consent. You’ll usually be asked to sign a document to show that you understand the information you are given and agree to treatment. If you’re unsure or need more information, talk to your doctor or someone in your cancer care team.

Can I have public or private care?

Cancer treatment in Australia is available through the public health system, the private health system, or a mix of both. If you live in a rural or regional area, your choices may be affected by travel, waiting times, and where specialists and cancer treatment centres are located.

You might have treatment at your local hospital, a regional cancer centre, or a larger city hospital. Your GP and cancer care team can help explain your options and what they mean for you.

For more information about public and private care – including costs, what Medicare covers, and using private health insurance – see Just diagnosed. Call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 for more information.

Can I join clinical trials and teletrials?

A clinical trial tests whether a new cancer treatment works and is safe. Taking part may give you access to new treatments and help improve future cancer care.

If you live in a rural or regional area, it might be harder to access clinical trials. You may need to travel to a larger city. Ask your doctor if there are any clinical trials that might be right for you.

You can also ask about teletrials. These connect your local health service with a larger cancer centre, which means you may be able to take part in a trial closer to home. Some parts of your care may still happen in a larger centre.

For more information, see Clinical trials and research.

How to use telehealth

Telehealth is having appointments by phone or video call. This is now more widely used for appointments, particularly for people in rural and regional areas. Telehealth can reduce how often you need to travel.

If you can use telehealth, here are some good tips to get the most out of it:

• ensure your phone or internet connection is reliable
• have a list of questions ready before the call
• ask someone you trust to join you if it helps
• ask for a written summary of what was discussed.

If you can’t do telehealth appointments at home, your local community health centre, your GP or your local hospital may be able to help you access telehealth from their location. Your GP may also be able to attend telehealth appointments with specialists if you wish.

Your cancer care team should be able to advise which appointments you may be able to do by telehealth.