Lung cancer

Lung cancer occurs when cells in the lung begin to grow abnormally. These cells multiply and form lumps known as tumours. As the tumours grow and spread, they can impact on other normal cells and organs, causing discomfort. They can also create challenges for other healthy parts of the body, making it harder for them to function normally.

The causes of lung cancer include: lifestyle, occupational exposure, pollution or genetics.

Non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. It accounts for four out of five lung cancers.

However, lung cancer can be made up of many different types of tumours such as: lung, mesothelioma, thymus cancer, small cell lung cancer and many rare cancers.

If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer and would like to attend Cabrini Hospital, please speak to your GP who can refer you to one of our experienced specialists. To help you navigate this difficult time, your specialist will coordinate your care and treatment, and arrange any further tests or scans you may need.

Most of our patients are referred by their GP, but if you are concerned you may have lung cancer, you can visit our Emergency Department, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our medical experts will refer you to the specialist that best suits your needs.

At Cabrini we prioritise your care and know that you may have many questions requiring prompt answers so our specialists will see you within 2-3 days of the referral. If it’s urgent, your GP will call the specialist directly to arrange an appointment.

One of the benefits of being cared for at Cabrini is our dedication to world-class research. Our lung cancer patients can access pioneering treatments for certain types of lung cancer through an extensive clinical trials program delivered by Cabrini Research.

This could include taking part in international and national clinical trials, including Phase 1 studies that give patients the chance to try the latest breakthrough treatments. We are connected to special access programs that can allow patients to receive new drugs before they are subsidised by the government.

We also partner with several large academic hospitals in Melbourne to give our patients access to intensive treatments.

View available clinical trials

It depends on your private health insurance policy and the type of medical tests and treatment you require. Every patient is different, so we recommend speaking to your doctors and health insurance provider about the expected associated costs. Generally, hospital cover policies pay the cost of in-hospital treatment charged by your specialist, and costs such as accommodation and theatre fees. You may need to pay a gap, which is the difference between the total fee charged by your doctor and any Medicare rebate and health fund benefit.

Your specialist can explain to you the cost of their consultations. Often the first and second visits will cost more, and there will be a small out of pocket cost for subsequent outpatient visits. If you see the specialist in hospital, or on a day you are admitted for treatment, there will usually be no out of pocket cost or ‘gap’ for the consultation.

Please note: this is a guide only. For further details please contact your private health provider.

The Cancer Council Victoria offers cancer patients experiencing financial difficulties four free programs delivered by industry experts: the Legal Referral Service, the Financial Planning Referral Service, the Workplace Advisory Service and the Small Business Advice Service. More help is available in its Cancer and Your Finances Guide or by speaking to the Cancer Council Victoria who can help patients find services that may be useful.

At Cabrini we can refer you to a social worker to help you understand the financial help that may be available to you, including how to access your superannuation early.

We understand cancer patients can experience financial hardship as a result of their diagnosis and treatment, so we offer patients receiving certain treatments in the day unit a discount on services such as emergency admissions, pathology and radiology. Ask your doctor or nurse about the Cabrini Chemotherapy Card eligibility, and how it can be used to offset some of the costs of care. We are also making it easier for our patients by improving our billing information.

Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise when you are undergoing cancer treatment is proven to have profound benefits. Research shows that if you are active and eat well while you have medical treatment, it may improve your quality of life, reduce your risk of cancer recurrence, increase your chance of survival and extend your life.

However, it can be difficult to know what to eat and how much to exercise. That’s why Cabrini offers cancer patients advice on nutrition and exercise that is backed by science and tailored to individual circumstances. Our dietitians offer nutritional support during cancer treatment to help you with weight management and advise you on the correct meal choices.

We also have a team of exercise physiologists to support you with your exercise needs. The cancer experience can take a heavy physical and mental toll on patients, and exercise is a safe and effective way to counteract some of the side effects. The latest evidence suggests regular exercise before, during and/or following cancer treatment decreases the severity of adverse effects. It has also been linked to reduced risk of developing new cancers and conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.

Please ask your specialist for more information, or visit our Allied Health Centre page or call the centre on (03) 9508 1700 to book an appointment. The Cancer Oncology Society of Australia’s Position Statement on Exercise in Cancer Care is also a great source of information.