Understanding What’s Ahead and Preparation for Treatment

Understanding What’s Ahead

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. It is entirely natural to have questions about what comes next. Understanding what to expect can help you feel more confident and prepared for the journey ahead.

Cancer treatment may take many forms, from surgery to chemotherapy to radiotherapy. Each affects the body differently, so knowing what you can do to prepare can make a big difference to how you feel going into treatment.

This section provides a practical overview of how to prepare for different types of cancer treatment. Use the links below to find the guidance that is most relevant to you.

Preparing for Cancer Surgery

Going into cancer surgery feeling as prepared as possible can make all the difference. Prehabilitation may include exercise, nutrition support, smoking cessation, psychological support and optimisation of other health conditions before treatment. Learn what pre-operative assessments involve, what prehabilitation means, and how to set yourself up for the best possible recovery.

Preparing for Chemotherapy

Understanding what to expect from chemotherapy can help you feel more in control before you start. Discover how you can prepare, including how treatment may affect eating, and what you can do about it.

Preparing for Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy can affect the body in different ways depending on where it is directed, including how you eat and drink. Find out how to plan ahead and how to look after yourself physically and emotionally during treatment.

Preparing for Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a newer form of cancer treatment that works with your body's own immune system. It can cause immune-related side effects (like inflammation in organs) that may require prompt attention. Find out what to expect  and how nutrition could support you through treatment.

Preparing for Targeted Therapy 

Targeted therapy works by targeting specific changes in cancer cells that help them grow. It is often oral and better tolerated than traditional chemo, but can have side effects like diarrhoea, skin rashes among others. Find out more about how targeted therapy works, what it may mean for your body, and how to prepare.

Preparing for Hormone Therapy 

Hormone therapy is used for cancers that are driven by hormones, including some types of breast, prostate, uterine, ovarian and other cancers. Discover what hormone therapy involves, what to expect, and how to look after yourself throughout.

Preparing for Combined Treatments or Clinical Trials

Some people receive more than one type of treatment at the same time, or may be offered the chance to take part in a clinical trial testing newer approaches.  Your healthcare professsional will help you to find out what combined treatments and clinical trials involve, what to expect and how to prepare.

Palliative and Supportive Care

Palliative and supportive care focuses on managing symptoms, reducing possible side effects and supporting your wellbeing alongside cancer treatment.  Support is available to help you feel as comfortable as possible throughout treatment.

Fertility Preservation and Family Planning

Some cancer treatments may affect your ability to have children in the future. It is worth discussing this with your care team before treatment begins. 

Practical and Financial Planning

Cancer treatment may affect many areas of everyday life, like work or travel to appointments. Help is available to  plan ahead practically and financially and where to find support for you and your caregivers.