Trans and gender diverse. Trans and gender diverse describes people whose gender differs from what was presumed for them at birth. There is no one correct way to be trans: it is an umbrella term that covers a large range of genders such as being non-binary, genderqueer, a Sistergirl or Brotherboy, genderfluid, having a binary gender, and more. We shorten trans and gender diverse to ‘trans.’ Learn more at transhub. 

Care. We use care broadly to describe community care, self-care and self-soothing, care from Country, culture or faith, from friends and family, from peers, from health professionals and other body workers. Care is bigger than medical care. 

Communities. We use communities in place of community as there isn’t one community, but many communities. 

partner/s we use this term to acknowledge people with multiple partners or lovers. 

There are many medical terms about cancer we couldn’t include here.

Chemotherapy (chemo) Medicines that work to stop cancer cells reproducing. There are different kinds of chemo and the type of chemo that your oncologist prescribes will vary based on the type and stage of cancer you have and decisions you might make about possible side effects. Eg: If you work with your hands, you might choose a certain type of chemo because you want the least chance of losing sensation in your fingers. Some types of chemotherapy work on cells that reproduce quickly which is why you might experience loss of hair or changes to nails and teeth. Chemotherapy is usually delivered intravenously. This could be through a vein in your arm or hand, through a PICC line or through a port. 

Radiation A treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells or shrink tumours. It is delivered by a linear particle accelerator. The way your radiation is delivered will depend on your cancer type and where it is in your body. If your cancer is around your head or neck you might be fitted with a mask. If you have lung cancer you might lay on your back with your arms above your head.  If you have breast cancer you might be recommended Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) which involves breathing through holding your breath using a snorkel. 

Immunotherapy

Surgery. Surgery is a major part of treatment for many cancers to help diagnose the type of tumour, or see how big it is and whether it has spread or changed. As part of your treatment to try to remove or minimise your tumour. To remove tissue that has a high risk of developing cancer or to reconstruct parts of your body that were altered or removed during your treatment

Breast cancer. We refer to breast cancer as breast cancer as it occurs in breast tissue. We know some trans people don’t refer to themselves as having breasts or prefer to use the term chest/chest cancer and top surgery in place of mastectomy.

Advanced care planning Thinking about, planning, documenting and nominating someone to communicate your wishes for future healthcare if you become unable to communicate. 

Health providers - by this we mean anyone who is involved in your care, both cancer-specific and other. This could be your GP, therapist, oncologist, physio, acupuncture. Specialists, body workers and mental health. Most people will have access to a cancer nurse, oncologist and social worker. Depending on your cancer, you might have access to other specialists and providers. While other resources talk about asking your ‘healthcare team’ we don’t talk about a ‘healthcare team’ as not everyone will have a healthcare team that’s visible to them or they can access. 

Impacts. We don’t use the term ‘side effects’ as some impacts are lasting and will continue after treatment is over. 

Cancer stages Cancer stages are indicated by the numbers 0 through 4. Higher numbers indicate a more-advanced cancer.

Complimentary care. We use this to refer to… 

Mastectomy and top surgery