Along with Movember, November is also Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Lung Cancer is the fifth most common cancer in Australia with approximately 12,000 Aussies diagnosed each year.  

According to Cure Cancer, lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way in one or both lungs. It often spreads (metastasises) to other parts of the body before the cancer can be detected in the lungs. There are two main types of lung cancer; non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.  

The most common non-small cell lung cancers are: 

• Adenocarcinoma: Begins in mucus producing cells and is most commonly diagnosed in current or former smokers, although it is also the most common lung cancer in non-smokers. 
• Squamous cell (epidermoid) carcinoma: Commonly develops in the larger airways of the lung. 

Small cell lung cancer usually begins in the middle of the lungs and spreads more quickly than non-small cell cancer. 

Lung cancer occurs in males and females. It is estimated that in 2019, 12,817 new cases of lung cancer (7,184 males and 5,633 females) will be diagnosed), making it the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been rapid uptake of in-home care, including home-based intravenous (IV) chemotherapy administration. Australian private health funds reported a 50-80% increase in patients seeking chemotherapy at home during the pandemic. 

In-home oncological care was facilitated by initiatives such as nurse-led telehealth models and the Australian Government’s COVID-19 National Health Plan, which provided interim arrangements for prescriptions, such as home delivery of medications. 

If you or someone you know needs cancer care, contact us today. 

Keep up to date with COVID 19 information on the following links:

Australian Government Department of Health

Victorian Health and Human Services

NSW Health

Queensland Health

ACT Health

WA Department of Health

Tasmanian Department of Health

Northern Territory Department of Health

SA Health

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companionship and personal care, and assistance to seniors (elderly and aged care), and any adult who needs our care at home including adults living with a disability who want to continue to live independently or age in their home. Right at Home is your local expert for issues related to caring for your loved ones and is dedicated to keeping you informed about home care. With no admin or subscription fees Right at Home allows you to get more care from your package or budget.

Right at Home is a 'My Aged Care' government-approved, home care provider for levels 1-4 and offers flexible in-home care services such as nursing care, after hospital care, post-operative care, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer's care. Right at Home also offers assistance with daily living and personal care such as grooming, hygiene, transport, shopping, meal prep, domestic services and social support, so your loved one can enjoy a more independent, vibrant life. Our nurses and caregivers are screened, highly trained, and insured prior to entering your home so you can trust us with the caregiving while you focus on your loved one.

To find out more, please give us a call on 1300 363 802 or visit our website.

Right at Home Offices in Australia: Sydney Lower North Shore; Sydney Upper North Shore; Sydney Central and Eastern Suburbs; Sydney Northern Beaches; Sydney Norwest; Sydney The Hills; Padstow St George; Macarthur Penrith; Newcastle; Hunter & Port Stephens; Southern NSW; Toowoomba- Darling Downs; Sunshine Coast and Gympie; Mackay; Central Queensland; Townsville; Far North Queensland; Gold Coast South; Gold Coast North; Northern Rivers; Brisbane Bayside; Brisbane South; Brisbane North; Brisbane West; Perth Midland; Perth Northern Suburbs; Perth West Coast: Kalgoorlie Wheatbelt; Moreton Bay Region; Sydney Inner West; Sydney Ryde; Greater Logan