Lung cancer
Life during and after lung cancer treatment
Living with lung cancer means making some adjustments to deal with the physical limits and emotional toll. Find out where to get the support you need.
Last updated:
Sources and references 
Life after a diagnosis of lung cancer can present many challenges. It is important to allow yourself time to adjust to the physical and emotional changes. Establish a daily routine that suits you and the symptoms you’re coping with and talk to your health care team about any concerns. Your family and friends may also need time to adjust. They might benefit from reading this booklet.
For some people, the cancer goes away with treatment. Other people will have ongoing treatment to manage symptoms. You are likely to feel a range of emotions about having lung cancer. Talk to your treatment team if you are finding it hard to manage your emotions. Cancer Council 13 11 20 can also provide you with some strategies for coping with the emotional and practical aspects of living with lung cancer.
Dealing with feelings of sadness
If you have continued feelings of sadness, have trouble getting up in the morning or have lost motivation to do things that previously gave you pleasure, you may be experiencing depression. This is quite common among people who have had cancer.
Talk to your GP, because counselling or medication – even for a short time – may help. Some people can get a Medicare rebate for sessions with a psychologist. Cancer Council may also run a counselling program in your area.
For information about coping with depression and anxiety, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or visit beyondblue.org.au. For 24-hour crisis support, call Lifeline 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au.
Follow-up appointments
Whether treatment ends or is ongoing, you will have regular appointments to manage any long-term side effects and check that the cancer hasn’t come back or spread. During these check-ups, you will usually have a physical examination and you may have chest x-rays, CT scans and blood tests. You will also be able to discuss how you’re feeling and mention any concerns you may have.
Check-ups after treatment usually happen every 3–6 months for the first couple of years and every 6–12 months for the following 3 years. When a follow-up appointment or test is approaching, many people feel anxious (“scananxiety”). Talk to your treatment team or call Cancer Council 13 11 20 if you are finding it hard to manage this anxiety.
Between follow-up appointments, let your doctor know immediately of any symptoms or health problems.
What if the cancer returns?
For some people, lung cancer does come back after treatment, which is known as a recurrence. Lung cancer is more likely to recur in the first 5 years after diagnosis. If the cancer returns, your doctor will discuss treatment options with you. These will depend on the type of lung cancer, where the cancer has recurred, and the stage and grade.
Whichever treatment you are given or choose to have, support from palliative care specialists and nurses can help you manage symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to get this support.
Caring for someone with cancer
You may be reading this booklet because you are caring for someone with lung cancer. What this means for you will vary depending on the situation. Being a carer can bring a sense of satisfaction, but it can also be challenging and stressful.
It is important to look after your own physical and emotional wellbeing. Give yourself some time out and share your concerns with somebody neutral such as a counsellor or your doctor, or try calling Cancer Council 13 11 20. There is a wide range of support available to help you with the practical and emotional aspects of your caring role.
Support services – Support services such as Meals on Wheels, home help or visiting nurses can help you in your caring role. You can find local services, as well as information and resources, through the Carer Gateway. Call 1800 422 737 or visit carergateway.gov.au.
Support groups and programs – Many cancer support groups and cancer education programs are open to carers as well as to people with cancer. Support groups and programs offer the chance to share experiences and ways of coping.
Carers Australia – Carers Australia provides information and advocacy for carers. Visit carersaustralia.com.au.
Cancer Council – You can call Cancer Council 13 11 20 or visit your local Cancer Council website to find out more about carers’ services.
Seeking support
A cancer diagnosis can affect every aspect of your life. You will probably experience a range of emotions – fear, sadness, anxiety, anger and frustration are all common reactions. Cancer also often creates practical and financial issues.
There are many sources of support and information to help you, your family and carers navigate all stages of the cancer experience including:
- information about cancer and its treatment
- access to benefits and programs to ease the financial impact of cancer treatment
- home care services, such as Meals on Wheels, visiting nurses and home help
- aids and appliances
- support groups and programs
- counselling services.
The availability of services may vary depending on where you live, and some services will be free but others might have a cost.
To find good sources of support and information, you can talk to the social worker or nurse at your hospital or treatment centre, or get in touch with Cancer Council on 13 11 20.
Support from Cancer Council
Cancer council offers a range of services to support people affected by cancer, their families and friends. Services may vary by location.
Cancer Council 13 11 20
Our experienced health professionals will answer any questions you have about your situation and link you to local services
Legal and financial support
If you need advice on legal or financial issues, we may be able to refer you to qualified professionals. These services are free for people who can't afford to pay. Financial assistance may also be available. To find out more, call Cancer Counil 13 11 20.
Peer support services
You might find it helpful to share your thoughts and experiences with other people affected by cancer. Cancer Council can link you with individuals or support groups by phone, in person, or online. Call 13 11 20 or visit cancercouncil.com.au/OC.
Information resources
Cancer Council produces booklets and factsheets on more than 40 types of cancer, as well as treatments, emotional and practical issues and recovery. Call 13 11 20 or visit your local Cancer Council website.
Practical help
Cancer Council can help you find services or offer guidance to manage the practical impacts of cancer. This may include helping you access accommodation and transport services.
Useful websites
You can find many useful resources online, but not all websites are reliable. The websites listed below are good sources of support and information.
| Australian | |
| Cancer Council Australia | cancer.org.au |
| Cancer Council Online Community | cancercouncil.com.au/OC |
| Cancer Council podcasts | cancercouncil.com.au/podcasts |
| Guides to Best Cancer Care | cancer.org.au/cancercareguides |
| Australian Clinical Trials | australianclinicaltrials.gov.au |
| Cancer Australia | canceraustralia.gov.au |
| Carer Gateway | carergateway.gov.au |
| Carers Australia | carersaustralia.com.au |
| eviQ Cancer Treatments Online | eviq.org.au |
| Department of Health and Aged Care | health.gov.au |
| Healthdirect Australia | healthdirect.gov.au |
| Lung Foundation Australia | lungfoundation.com.au |
| Palliative Care Australia | palliativecare.org.au |
| Radiation Oncology: Targeting Cancer | targetingcancer.com.au |
| Services Australia (including Centrelink and Medicare) | servicesaustralia.gov.au |
| Thoracic Oncology Group Australasia | thoraciconcology.org.au |
| International | |
| American Cancer Society | cancer.org |
| Cancer Research UK | cancerresearchuk.org |
| Macmillan Cancer Support (UK) | macmillan.org.uk |
My family members don’t really understand what it’s like to have cancer thrown at you, but in my support group, I don’t feel like I have to explain.”
Sam
Health professionals you may see
Your treatment team will include some of the following health professionals:
GP: assists you with treatment decisions and works in partnership with your specialists in providing ongoing care
respiratory physician: dianoses diseases of the lungs, including cancer, and recommends initial treatment options
thoracic surgeon: diagnoses and performs surgery for cancer and other diseases of the lungs and chest (thorax)
radiation oncologist: treats cancer by prescribing and overseeing a course of radiation therapy
radiation therapist: plans and delivers radiation therapy radiologist
nuclear medicine specialist: analyse x-rays and scans; an interventional radiologist may also perform a biopsy under ultrasound or CT, and deliver some treatments; a nuclear medicine specialist coordinates the delivery of nuclear scans such as PET-CT
medical oncologist: treats cancer with drug therapies such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy (also known as systemic treatments)
cancer care coordinator or lung cancer nurse coordinator: coordinates your care, liaises with other members of the MDT, refers you to allied health professionals, provides education and information, and supports you and your family throughout treatment; care may also be coordinated by a clinical nurse consultant (CNC) and clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
nurse: administers drugs and provides care, information and support throughout treatment
psychologist, counsellor: help you understand and manage your emotional response to diagnosis and treatment
dietitian: helps with nutrition concerns and recommends changes to diet during treatment and recovery
speech pathologist: helps with communication, speech, swallowing problems from the cancer, or after treatment
social worker: links you to support services and helps with emotional, practical and financial problems
occupational therapist: assists in adapting your living and working environment to help you resume your usual activities
physiotherapist, exercise physiologist: help you maintain and restore movement and mobility before and after treatment, and improve fitness and wellbeing
palliative care specialists and nurses: work closely with the GP and cancer team to help control symptoms and maintain your quality of life and keep you comfortable and well looked after at end of life.
Sources and references
This edition has been developed by Cancer Council NSW on behalf of all other state and territory Cancer Councils as part of a National Cancer Information Subcommittee initiative. We thank the reviewers of this booklet: Dr Malinda Itchins, Thoracic Medical Oncologist, Royal North Shore Hospital and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Dr Cynleen Kai, Radiation Oncologist, GenesisCare, VIC; Dr Naveed Alam, Thoracic Surgeon, St Vincent’s Hospital, Epworth Richmond, and Monash Medical Centre, VIC; Helen Benny, Consumer; Dr Rachael Dodd, Senior Research Fellow, The Daffodil Centre, NSW; Kim Greco, Specialist Lung Cancer Nurse Consultant, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Marco Salvador, Consumer; Janene Shelton, Lung Foundation Australia – Specialist Lung Cancer Nurse, Darling Downs Health, QLD; Prof Emily Stone, Respiratory Physician, Department of Thoracic Medicine and Lung Transplantation, St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, NSW; A/Prof Marianne Weber, Stream Lead, Lung Cancer Policy and Evaluation, The Daffodil Centre, NSW. We would also like to thank the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who have worked on previous editions of this title.
Lung cancer
Cancer Council 13 11 20
Call us to talk to a specially trained health professional for free and confidential support and information.
Guide to best cancer care
This lung cancer guide explains the standard of high-quality cancer care that all Australians can expect, from diagnosis, to treatment, recovery, and living with cancer.