fbpx

Types of cancer

There are a number of common cancers in Australia, here you can learn more about them.

 

Did you know that cancer is the leading cause of death in Australia?

In fact, it’s estimated that around 43,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year. While there is no one ‘cure’ for cancer, early diagnosis and treatment is key to increasing your chances of survival. That’s why doctors.com.au is committed to helping every Australian understand their individual risk factors and to plan important health check-ups, and we provide tailored preventative health updates as new information comes to light.

Types of cancer

Cancer - Know your risks and plan for a good life!

Did you know that cancer is the leading cause of death in Australia? 1 in 2 people will develop cancer at some point in their lives. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do something to reduce your risk.

We want to help you detect cancer early, before it has a chance to take over your life. That’s why we want you to take our free cancer health check quizzes – better understand your risk factors and receive recommendations for how to lower your risk of developing cancer.

Early detection screening can save your life. Take our quizzes today and find out how you can reduce your risk of cancer!

 
 
Quiz me

Looking for more ways to stay healthy?

  • Get regular check-ups: Whether it’s a cancer screening or a routine physical, seeing your doctor on a regular basis is one of the best ways to prevent illness.
  • Eat healthy: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help reduce your risk of cancer.
  • Exercise: Regular physical activity has been shown to decrease the risk of cancer.
  • Don’t smoke: Smoking is linked to an increased risk of cancer, so quitting is one of the best things you can do for your health.
By following these simple tips, you can make a big difference in your overall health and well-being. So what are you waiting for? Start living a healthier life today!
Health check - Register
Find a health professional



Cancer Council and doctors.com.au

Cancer Council Australia have partnered with doctors.com.au to help us prevent unnecessary illness and death by reminding people of the need for regular health check-ups and screenings.

 

Types of Cancer

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC)

A rare type of cancer that forms in glandular tissues most commonly in the head and neck.

Anal cancer

Anal cancer is a cancer that affects the tissues of the anus.

Appendix cancer

Appendix cancer occurs when cells in the appendix become abnormal and keep growing and form a mass or lump called a tumour.

Bone cancer

Primary bone cancer is cancer that begins in the bones. Secondary bone cancer refers to a cancer that started elsewhere in the body and has spread to the bones.

Bowel cancer

Develops from the inner lining of the bowel and is usually preceded by growths called polyps, which may become invasive cancer if undetected.

Read more

Brain cancer

Includes primary brain tumours, which start in the brain and almost never spread to other parts of the body, and secondary tumours (or metastases), which are caused by cancers that began in another part of the body.

Breast cancer

The abnormal growth of the cells lining the breast lobules or ducts. These cells grow uncontrollably and have the potential to spread to other parts of the body.

Breast cancer in men

In men, most breast tissue is located behind the nipple. Women have a lot more breast tissue than men - and a much higher rate of breast cancer. Cancers can, however, occur in male breast tissue.

Cancer of unknown primary (CUP)

Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is the term used to describe a metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread) with an unknown starting point.

Cervical cancer

The growth of abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix.

Gall bladder cancer

When cells in the gall bladder become abnormal and keep growing to form a mass or lump called a tumour.

Head and neck cancers

Can occur inside the sinuses, nose, mouth and salivary glands down through the throat. There are a range of cancers that begin in the head and neck region that cancers are different, but they are treated similarly, so are considered as a group.

Hodgkin disease

Hodgkin lymphoma, sometimes called Hodgkin disease, is a type of lymphoma - a general term for cancer of the lymphatic system (the various lymph glands around the body).

Kidney cancer

Starts in the cells of the kidney. The most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma (RCC), accounting for about 90% of all cases.

Leukaemias

Leukaemias (or leukemias - U.S. spelling) are cancers of the white blood cells, which begin in the bone marrow.

Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in the skin cells called melanocytes and usually occurs on the parts of the body that have been overexposed to the sun.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the mesothelial cells which cover most internal organs. There are two main types of mesothelioma; pleural and peritoneal.

Mouth cancer

Also known as oral cancer or cancer of the oral cavity, is often used to describe a number of cancers that start in the region of the mouth.

Myeloma

A type of blood cancer that develops from plasma cells in the bone marrow. Myeloma is often called multiple myeloma because most people (90%) have multiple bone lesions at the time it is diagnosed.

Neuroendocrine tumours

Neuroendocrine tumours (also referred to as NET) are an uncommon type of tumour that forms in neuroendocrine cells that are found throughout the body

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Type of lymphoma, a cancer that begins in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is an important part of the immune system and includes the various lymph glands around the body.

Non-melanoma skin cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancers, now called keratinocyte cancers, are the most common cancers in Australia, however most are not life-threatening.

Ocular (eye) melanoma

The most common type of cancer that can affect the eye. Melanoma is a type of cancer that develops in the cells of the body that produce melanin — the pigment that gives your skin its colour.

Oesophageal cancer

Oesophageal (or US spelling - esophageal ) begins when abnormal cells develop in the oesophagus. In Australia it is most commonly found in the lower section of the oesophagus, adjoining the stomach.

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumour in one or both ovaries.

Pancreatic cancer

Occurs when malignant cells develop in part of the pancreas. This may affect how the pancreas works, including the functioning of the exocrine or endocrine glands.

Penile cancer

A rare type of cancer and occurs on the foreskin, the glans (head) of the penis, or on the skin of the penile shaft.

Prostate cancer

Dvelops when abnormal cells in the prostate gland grow in an uncontrolled way, forming a malignant tumour.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP)

A rare tumour that grows slowly and causes a build-up of mucin (a jelly-like substance) in the abdomen and pelvis, giving rise to the name “jelly belly”.

Secondary bone cancer

Refers to a cancer that has started in another part of the body and has spread (metastasised) to the bone via the bloodstream or lymph nodes.

Skin cancer

Occurs when skin cells are damaged, for example, by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

Small bowel cancer

Also called small intestine cancer occurs when cells in the small bowel become abnormal and keep growing and form a mass or lump called a tumour.

Soft tissue sarcoma

A type of cancer that forms in the soft tissues of the body. Cancer starts when cells begin to grow out of control.

Stomach cancer

Develops when cells in any part of the stomach grow and divide abnormally. Can begin anywhere in the stomach but most begin in the glandular tissue on the stomach's inner surface. (gastric cancer).

Testicular cancer

Not a common cancer but it is the second most common cancer in young men (aged 20 to 39) excluding non-melanoma skin cancer.

Throat cancer

Refers to cancers that start in the pharynx or larynx (voice box), but can also refer to cancers that start in the oesophagus (food pipe) or thyroid.

Thyroid cancer

The most common is papillary thyroid cancer, which usually grows in one lobe of the thyroid gland (about 70-80% of all cases). Follicular thyroid cancer accounts for about 20% of thyroid cancers.

Upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC)

Sometimes called transitional cell carcinoma - is a cancer that occurs in either the inner lining of the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder (the ureter) or within the inner lining of the kidney.

Uterine cancer

Cancer of the uterus occurs when abnormal cells develop in the uterus and begin growing out of control.

Vaginal cancer

Also known as cancer of the vagina - is cancer that starts in the vagina (primary vaginal cancer). It should not be confused with cancer that has spread to the vagina from another site in the body (also known as secondary vaginal cancer).

Vulvar cancer

Also known as vulval cancer - cancer of the vulva or vulva cancer) is a cancer that occurs in any part of the external female genitals.

So why not take a few minutes to do one of our cancer quizzes today? It could save your life!

Doctors.com.au is an AI-driven preventative health care platform that delivers bookings, reminders and healthcare updates based on the data you provide. 
We understand that this is your important personal information, and we respect and will protect your Privacy.

Quiz me

Are you a health care provider interested in reaching new patients?

Increase your online visibility, attract more patients and grow.
Learn more

Your data

Doctors.com.au is an AI-driven preventative health care platform that delivers bookings, reminders and healthcare updates based on the data you provide.
We understand that this is your important personal information, and we respect and will protect your Privacy.

Disclaimer

Whilst appreciable care has been taken in the preparation of this recommendation, doctors.com.au does not warrant the accuracy of the contents beyond the source documents.
Any representation, implied or express, concerning the efficacy, appropriateness or suitability of any treatment, is expressly negatived.

In view of the possibility of human error or advances in medical knowledge, doctors.com.au cannot, and does not, warrant that the information contained on the website or this recommendation is in every respect accurate or complete.

Doctors.com.au will not be held responsible or liable for any errors or omissions that may be found in any of the information on this recommendation, and you are encouraged to consult other sources to confirm the information on bowel cancer, and in the event that medical treatment is required, to take professional expert advice from a legally qualified and appropriately experienced medical practitioner.

Your compare list

Compare
REMOVE ALL
COMPARE
0