Optimal Cancer Care Pathways

The Optimal Cancer Care Pathways outline the best cancer care for specific tumour types.

The pathways are designed to promote a full understanding of the patient journey in order to foster quality cancer care from the point of diagnosis.

Each pathway identifies specific points and the recommended care at each stage.

Both detailed and quick reference guides, as well as what to expect guides, have been developed.

Clinical Optimal Cancer Care Pathways

Quick Reference Guides

Optimal Care Pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

This Optimal Care Pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people complements the best practice information provided in the tumour-specific pathways to facilitate the delivery of culturally safe and competent care. It outlines the aspects of the cancer care pathway that need to be responsive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer.

Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who might have cancer

Guides to Best Cancer Care for Patients

A lot can happen in a hurry when you’re diagnosed with cancer. The guides below can help you make sense of what should happen. They will help you with what questions to ask your health professionals to make sure you receive the best care at every step.

Many of the Guides to Best Cancer Care are also available in Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, Greek, Italian, Hindi and Tagalog. Scroll to the bottom of the guide to see if it is available in your language.

Guide to Best Cancer Care Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care BCC & SCC

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care Neuroendocrine tumours

Learn about Best Cancer Care Neuroendocrine tumours

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Guide to Best Cancer Care Bowel Cancer

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care Breast Cancer

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care CUP

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care Endometrial Cancer

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care Head and Neck Cancer

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care High Grade Glioma

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care Liver Cancer

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care Lung Cancer

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care Lymphoma

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care Melanoma

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care Oesophagagogastric Cancer

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care Ovarian Cancer

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care Pancreatic Cancer

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care Pleural Mesothelioma

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care Prostate Cancer

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care Sarcoma

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care Indigenous

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Guide to Best Cancer Care Checking for Cancer

Learn about the optimal care that should be provided at each step of the cancer pathway

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Interactive Web Portal for Consumers

The consumers OCP’s have been developed into an interactive web portal. Visit www.cancerpathways.org.au 

For more information regarding the current Pathways, please call Cancer Council 13 11 20

For General Practitioners and Practice Managers

To support you, your practice, and your patients, you can:

  • Refer newly diagnosed cancer patients to www.cancerpathways.org.au and print and provide them with a copy of the relevant tumour stream ‘what to expect’ consumer guides.
  • Import the GP quick reference guides and consumer version PDF’s into your GP software. Find how to import the OCP’s into your software.

For more information regarding the current pathways, or to send feedback, please email optimalcare.pathways@cancervic.org.au