Site Guide to using the site
Find your way based on your situation
A cancer journey is a journey with many different stages, and your need for information changes constantly. It can feel overwhelming to navigate the hundreds of articles and pieces of advice available both here on the site, in various brochures, and online in general.
This guide has been created to help you navigate and to ensure that you have access to the information that is most important to you, exactly where you are in your journey right now.
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Start by selecting the general situation that best describes you right now.
- On the following pages, you will be guided further, based in part on the extent of the disease and the treatment path you are following.
By following the guide, you will only be shown the topics and articles that are most relevant and meaningful to you—right now.
Select your current situation
1. Suspected cancer or undergoing evaluation
- For those of you who are in a period of testing and uncertainty before a diagnosis has been made.
What doctors call it:
- Evaluation: The full range of tests (e.g., scans and blood tests) to make an accurate diagnosis.
- Cancer care pathway: A standardized process within the healthcare system designed to ensure rapid diagnosis and treatment when there is a reasonable suspicion of cancer.
- Screening: A preventive test for a specific type of cancer offered to a large population group without symptoms.
2. Newly Diagnosed with Cancer
- For those who have just received a cancer diagnosis and need a solid overview of their options.
What doctors call it:
- Primary tumor: The original cancerous mass where the disease began.
- Localized cancer: Cancer that has not spread from the primary tumor. Treatment is typically curative.
- Metastatic cancer: Cancer that has spread from the primary tumor to other parts of the body. Also called “cancer with spread.”
- Metastases: The new cancerous tumors that have developed elsewhere in the body as a result of spread.
3. Undergoing active treatment
- For those currently undergoing treatment and seeking information on managing side effects and strengthening the body.
Terms you may hear during this phase:
- Complete response (remission): All signs of cancer have disappeared as a result of treatment.
- Partial response: The cancer has shrunk significantly but is still present.
- Stable disease: The cancer has neither grown nor shrunk for a period of time. Treatment is keeping it in check.
- Progressive disease (progression): The cancer is growing or spreading despite ongoing treatment.
- Curative intent: Means that the current treatment is given with the aim of curing the disease.
- Palliative care: Treatment that focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life, and which can be provided at all stages of a cancer journey.
4. After treatment ends
- For those who have completed their primary treatment and are looking ahead to life after cancer, with a focus on late effects and prevention.
What doctors call it:
- Remission / NED (No Evidence of Disease): The medical term indicating that there are no longer signs of active cancer in the body.
- Cancer survivor: A term for a person who continues to live after a cancer diagnosis, from the time of diagnosis and for the rest of their life.
- Prevention (of recurrence): The focus of this phase, where the goal is to maintain a state of health and a lifestyle that minimizes the risk of the cancer returning.
5. Recurrence
- For those who have been told that the cancer has returned and are seeking information about advanced strategies and next steps.
What doctors call it:
- Recurrence: The medical term for cancer returning after a period of remission.
- Local recurrence: The cancer returns in the exact same place as the original tumor.
- Metastatic recurrence (distant metastases): The cancer has returned in other parts of the body (e.g., in the liver, lungs, or bones).
- Palliative care: Treatment that focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life, and which can be provided at all stages of a cancer journey.
6. Living with chronic cancer
- For those living with cancer as a chronic condition, where the focus is on quality of life and long-term, palliative care.
What doctors call it:
- Advanced cancer: Refers to cancer that has progressed and is likely incurable.
- Metastatic cancer: Means that the cancer has spread (formed metastases) from the original site to other parts of the body. Treatment often focuses on controlling the disease.
- Widespread cancer: Used when the cancer has spread significantly throughout the body.
- Incurable cancer: A direct translation that emphasizes that a cure is not the goal of treatment.
- Life-prolonging treatment: Treatment whose primary goal is to slow the cancer and extend life when a cure is not considered possible.
- Palliative care: Treatment that focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life, and which can be provided at all stages of a cancer journey.
7. The Final Stage
- For you and your loved ones seeking support, peace of mind, and information about the final stage of life.
What doctors call it:
- Terminal cancer / terminal stage: Describes the final stage of an incurable disease, where death is expected within the foreseeable future.
- Palliative care / palliative treatment: Focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life for patients with life-threatening illnesses, rather than curing the disease itself.
8. For loved ones
- For you, who are on the sidelines as a partner, family member, or friend and want to know how you can best provide support—while also taking care of yourself.
Note
No matter where you are on this journey, you are not alone. We hope this guide can provide you with reassurance and the knowledge you need.
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What you read on I Have Cancer is not a recommendation. Seek competent guidance.