All parts of your life still matter while you’re living with
Preventative care
Even while living with
- Vaccinations, such as influenza, COVID and shingles; you may be eligible for free vaccinations
- Screening and check-up for other cancers, check with your GP if you should be participating in bowel cancer, cervical cancer, or lung cancer screening, or having your skin checked for melanoma
- Breast imaging (e.g. mammograms), if you still have breast tissue, follow-up imaging is individualised by your care team (and not part of BreastScreen)
- Heart and metabolic health, blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes checks as advised by your GP. Certain cancer medications can affect your heart, your care team will advise you on monitoring.
- Mental health support, including mental health care plans
Ask your GP about a Chronic Condition Management Plan. This allows you access to up to five Medicare-subsidised allied health sessions per calendar year, including dietitians, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, and podiatrists.
This kind of routine care can easily get overlooked, but looking after your overall health matters, especially as many people are now living longer with MBC.
Practical life management
Managing work and taking leave
Your employment rights:
- You can’t be discriminated against because of cancer; and employers should make reasonable adjustments (e.g., duties, hours, equipment) where needed.
- You’re entitled to paid personal leave (sick/carer’s leave) if you’re a permanent employee. You may qualify for unpaid leave
- You can request flexible working arrangements
- You don’t have to tell your employer details about your diagnosis
Options to consider:
- Working reduced hours, working from home, or a temporary job redesign to match your energy and side-effects
- Taking leave (personal/sick leave, annual leave, long-service leave, unpaid leave)
- Looking into options for Workcover through your employer, or eligibility for government income payments such as the Disability Support Pension
Helpful links:
- Fair Work Ombudsman: 13 13 94 provides information on leave and flexible work
- LiveWorkCancer: Specialised cancer and work support
- Inclusive Employment Australia: Employment service program that can help you prepare for, find and keep a job if you have disability, injury or health conditions
Financial support and insurance advice
It’s normal to feel anxious about your financial situation given the uncertainty associated with living with MBC. Help exists, so reach out to talk about financial wellbeing and security with your support networks and your care team.
What to consider
Get advice - It can be helpful to speak with a financial planning service. Cancer Council has a Pro Bono Program that you might be eligible for. They can also help to connect you with a other volunteer financial services.
Review your income protection cover (through super or privately); check with your fund or insurer what you’re covered for, including:
- what percentage of your income is covered
- whether payments are capped
- how long the cover lasts (e.g. a set number of years, or until age 65)
- any waiting period before payments begin
- eligibility rules (for example, whether you need to use up sick leave first, or be off work for a minimum period)
- whether you can return to work gradually (such as reduced hours)
Plan with your future in mind - If you feel comfortable, you may want to talk with your
Medicare safety net
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GP appointments (including many telehealth consults).
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Specialist visits (e.g., medical
oncology , dermatology) done in rooms or clinics, not during a hospital admission. -
Tests and scans done outside hospital, such as blood tests, X‑rays, ultrasounds, CT/
MRI where Medicare benefits apply. -
Eligible mental health services billed under Medicare (e.g., sessions with a clinical psychologist under a Mental Health Treatment Plan).
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Services when you’re admitted to hospital.
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Medicines under the PBS (these have a separate PBS Safety Net, not the Medicare Safety Nets).
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Health services without a Medicare item number (for example, many purely private allied health or dental services).
PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme)
The PBS lowers the price of many prescription medicines. Once your (or your family’s) PBS spending for the year reaches the PBS Safety Net threshold, your PBS medicines get cheaper for the rest of the calendar year - general patients pay the concessional rate and concession‑card holders pay $0.
What counts toward the PBS Safety Net: PBS prescriptions dispensed at community pharmacies and private hospitals, and some public‑hospital outpatient medicines that are recorded under the PBS Safety Net rules.
What doesn’t count: Most private (non‑PBS) prescriptions don’t contribute to the PBS Safety Net and won’t receive a PBS subsidy.
Ask your pharmacy to record your PBS scripts (for you / your family) on a PBS Safety Net record. If you reach the threshold, they will then be able to issue your PBS Safety Net card so your PBS medicines are cheaper for the rest of the year
Note: The PBS Safety Net is separate from the Medicare Safety Net for out‑of‑hospital doctor visits and tests. Reaching one doesn’t affect the other.
Other Government support
- Centrelink – You may be eligible for Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment/Allowance, or concession cards such as Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) - May be eligible if the cancer is causing permanent or significant functional impairment (eligibility is about function, not about diagnosis alone)
Other sources of financial help
- Utility bills: ask providers about hardship programs; Cancer Council can connect you with a financial navigator and in acute hardship may provide one-off bill support.
- Travel subsidies for treatment (regional / rural): Every state and territory runs a patient travel assistance scheme that helps cover travel and accommodation when specialist care isn’t available locally. Check your local Patient Assisted Travel Scheme for distance rules and subsidies. The National Rural Health Alliance has a factsheet on the services provided by each state on patient assisted travel.
- Wigs and prostheses programs: Cancer Council’s wig service and other programs may help.
Accessing superannuation early
You may be able to access your superannuation early on compassionate grounds. Early access can make a real difference—but it’s a big decision. Consider independent financial advice and talk with your
Main pathways:
- Terminal medical condition (via your super fund) If two doctors (one a relevant specialist) certify your illness is likely to result in death within 24 months, you can access your super.
- Severe financial hardship (via your super fund). If you’ve received eligible income support for 26 continuous weeks and can’t meet reasonable and immediate living expenses, you may be able to withdraw up to $10,000 in a 12‑month period (fund decision; tax may apply).
- Compassionate release (via the Australian Tax Office) – for medical treatment costs, or mortgage/rent while you’re unable to work. Possible for specific unpaid expenses when there’s no other way to pay—e.g., medical treatment/transport,
palliative care , preventing home foreclosure, funeral costs.
Early release reduces retirement savings and may affect insurance that is held inside super; check your fund’s rules and any tax implications first.
Accessing your super early can ease money worries, but it can also be a big and sometimes an emotional decision.
It may involve difficult conversations with your
Before making any decisions, consider whether now is the right time to access your super, based on:
- your goals and priorities
- what you value most right now
- how you want to spend your time and focus your energy
- what financial support you may need now and in the future.
Hospital social workers can guide you through the financial support process. Don’t try to navigate it alone.
Physical wellbeing
Exercise when living with MBC
Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health, even with
- Reducing fatigue
- Improving mood and sleep
- Maintaining strength and mobility
- Helping you cope with treatment and reducing some side effects
- Improving quality of life
(Sources: Bower et al., 2024, Hiensch et al., 2024, Campbell et al., 2019, Courneya et al., 2025)
Getting started
- Talk to your
oncologist or GP about safe exercise for you - Start gently and build up slowly
- Find an an accredited exercise physiologist who specialises in cancer (use ESSA’s search tool to find someone near you or who can provide telehealth).
- Exercise programs at some cancer centers are free
Exercise safely
If you have bone
There will also be days when your body is not ready for exercise. While routine exercise is a good thing, don’t push yourself on days when your body is very fatigued or you are feeling physically unwell.
Nutrition and healthy eating
Good nutrition helps you feel stronger and cope better with treatment.
General principles:
- Eat when you’re hungry
- Focus on protein to maintain muscle
- Stay hydrated
- Don’t worry about “perfect” eating
- Small, frequent meals if you’re struggling with appetite
What about special diets?
No diet can cure
Mindful activities
Activities that integrate mind and body can help your mood, sleep and day-to-day coping.
Yoga – Gentle, adapted yoga can improve flexibility and strength, as well as fatigue, mood and quality of life. Many cancer centers offer specialised classes.
Meditation and mindfulness – Mindfulness-based programs can reduce anxiety and stress and can help with sleep. Online programs are available if your can’t get to a group, such as Cancer Council NSW’s meditation and relaxation podcasts, and Smiling Mind an evidence-informed Australian mindfulness app.
Tai chi and qigong – Slow and low-impact movement practices that can help with fatigue, anxiety, sleep and overall quality of life. They are especially useful on low-energy days.
Art and music therapy - Some hospitals offer creative arts programs that can help reduce stress, lift mood and support coping.
Help with anxiety and depression
It’s normal to feel anxious or low after a diagnosis of MBC. This can get worse leading up to scans, with disease
Signs to watch for
- Persistent sadness or hopelessness
- Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- Constant worry or feeling on edge
- Difficulty sleeping (falling or staying asleep)
- Changes in appetite or weight
What can help
- Counseling or therapy.
- Medication such as antidepressants can be very effective. Talk to your care team about finding options that might work for you.
- Support groups - Connection with others who are living with MBC can reduce feelings of isolation and provide practical coping tips. Ask your care team or see our Support and Connection section for in-person/online groups.
- Mindfulness, meditation and relaxation techniques: see our Mindful activities section for how to get started and cancer‑specific options.
- Spiritual or cultural support.
- Art and music therapy.
- Look Good Feel Better is a free, national cancer‑support program offering in‑person and virtual workshops that teach practical ways to manage appearance‑related side effects during treatment. If you can’t attend a workshop, you can request a Home‑Delivered Confidence Kit, which is a package of products and step‑by‑step guides sent to your home.
- Practical supports matter. Sorting out finances, work/leave, or getting help travelling to treatment can lower stress levels. See Other types of support for links to social work, financial navigation and travel schemes.
Let yourself have bad days - you don’t have to be strong all the time. When you’re feeling distressed, it’s a good idea to talk to someone. This might be family or friends, or someone else living with MBC.
Talking to others who understand can make a huge difference. Go to the Support and Connection section to find more advice and resources about connecting with peer supports.
Talking to your care team about emotions
Your
Tips
- Be honest about how you’re feeling; let them know if you’re struggling with low mood, anxiety or feeling sad
- Try to pinpoint what is hardest for you right now – is it dealing with side-effects, worrying about your next scan, feeling isolated and lonely?
- Ask for a referral to a psycho-
oncologist , psychologist or counselor or social worker
Travel
If you’d like to travel, a little extra planning can help you feel safer and more prepared.
- Travel insurance. It can be challenging (and expensive) to get cover for cancer‑related events with
metastatic disease. However, you can still buy policies that cover other risks like trip delays/cancellations, lost/stolen baggage, and non‑cancer–related medical events. - Check with your doctor whether your destination is a good fit with your health needs. Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCAs) with 11 countries that can subsidise urgent, medically necessary public care while you’re there—but they aren’t a substitute for travel insurance and won’t cover medical evacuation.
- Carry your medications in your hand luggage, along with a letter from your doctor (medication name, dose); this means you don’t need to worry about lost luggage
- Bring key medical information with you such as recent clinic letter, test results, medication list, allergies, emergency contacts, and your cancer centre or medical
oncologist ’s phone number. - Take steps to reduce the risk of blood clots during long flights. Remember to get up and move frequently, stay hydrated, limit alcohol and consider using compression stockings.
- Think carefully about high-impact activities and anything that could increase injury risk
- Before international travel, ask about vaccinations and infection risks. Many live vaccines are contraindicated in people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, while non‑live vaccines are generally safe.
Relationships and intimacy
Communication with partners
Cancer affects relationships. Open, kind communication is key. It’s not about fixing everything, but about understanding each other better.
Common relationship challenges:
- Your partner may feel helpless or scared
- Roles in your relationship may change (e.g., your partner becomes carer)
- Less time together due to appointments and fatigue
- Or more time together due to reducing work or other commitments
- Worry about the future and ongoing uncertainty
- Financial concerns and practical pressures
- Managing children’s needs and emotions
What can help:
- Talk honestly about your feelings
- Let your partner know how they can help
- Do normal activities together when possible
- Consider couples counseling
Relationships change when someone has cancer. That doesn’t mean the relationship is failing - it means it’s adapting.
Changes to intimacy and body image
Treatment can affect sexuality and how you feel about your body.
Physical changes:
- Vaginal dryness: use a lubricant during sex and a vaginal moisturiser between times. Low-dose vaginal oestrogens may be safe, ask your
oncologist . - Fatigue or medications affecting libido
- Pain or discomfort
- Changes to your body from treatment
Emotional impacts:
- Feeling less attractive or confident
- Worry about your partner’s feelings
- Fear or anxiety affecting desire and intimacy
Getting help:
- Talk to your doctor - these issues are common and often treatable
- Sexuality counselors who specialise in cancer; pelvic health physiotherapists can help with pain, dryness and pelvic floor concerns
- Peer spaces, such as cancer and intimacy Facebook Groups
- Consider joining a support group specifically for couples or partners. Many cancer centers offer couples sessions or groups (in person or via telehealth)
- Resources for helping your partner understand what you’re going through, such as this one from Cancer Council Victoria
Palliative care
How the team works: Specialist
Accessing
Find out more in the Planning for end of life section.