Understanding Cancer Treatments — The Main Approaches
Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy — the language of treatment can be overwhelming. This guide explains the main approaches in plain terms, so conversations with your team make more sense.
A plain-language overview of the major treatment types, how they generally work, why plans are personalised, and how decisions are made with your team.
What's inside
- →An overview — the main types
- →Surgery — what it involves
- →Chemo & radiation — the basics
- →Newer approaches — immuno & targeted
- →Personalised plans — why they differ
- →Decisions with your team — your role
For educational purposes only
This guide offers educational and supportive information to help you navigate cancer care and find support — it is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it is not a substitute for your oncology team. It does not diagnose, treat, or cure cancer, and makes no promises about outcomes; all decisions about your diagnosis and treatment should be made with your doctors. Contact your care team about new or worsening symptoms, and seek urgent care for severe problems such as a high fever during treatment, difficulty breathing, or uncontrolled bleeding. You don't have to carry this alone — if you're struggling emotionally, reach out to your team or a counsellor, and in crisis call or text 988; in an emergency, call 911.