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Cancer: an overview
A guide for managers and human resource professionals
Over 40% of new cancer cases in Benign tumour – Cells are confined to one area
Australia occur in people of working age,1 and are not able to spread to other parts of the
so it is not unusual for a manager to body. This is not cancer.
provide support to an employee affected
by cancer. Having an understanding Malignant tumour – This is made up of cancerous
of how cancer affects people can help cells, which have the ability to spread by travelling
you to create a supportive working through the bloodstream or lymphatic system
environment. This fact sheet provides (lymph fluid).
a snapshot of cancer incidence in
Australia, and a brief introduction to The cancer that first develops in a tissue or organ
what cancer is, its causes and treatment. is called the primary cancer. A malignant tumour is
usually named after the organ or type of cell affected.
Normal Abnormal
cells cells Angiogenesis
Primary
cancer
Local invasion
Angiogenesis –
Boundary tumours grow their
Lymph vessel own blood vessels
Blood vessel
Lymph vessel
Cancer: an overview
Cancer: an overview
Acknowledgements
This information was developed with help from a range of legal, financial and health
professionals, and people affected by cancer. It was reviewed by: Prof Fran Boyle AM,
Director, Patricia Ritchie Centre for Cancer Care & Research, Mater Hospital and
Professor of Medical Oncology, University of Sydney, NSW; Carolyn Butcher, Chief
CAN6331 04/17 © Cancer Council Australia 2017
People and Development Officer, Thomson Geer, VIC; Sandra Dann, Director, Working
Women’s Centre SA Inc., SA; Camilla Gunn, Commercial Manager and Strategic
Projects, Talent Acquisition, Human Resources, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability,
Westpac, NSW; Carmen Heathcote, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Queensland;
Sara Jorgensen, Breast Care Nurse Consultant, Western Health, VIC; Deborah Lawson,
Legal Policy Advisor, McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer, VIC; Gary Power, Consumer;
Donna Wilson, Social Work Manager, Hollywood Private Hospital, WA. For information and support
on cancer-related issues,
Note to reader
Always consult your doctor about matters that affect your health. This fact sheet is call Cancer Council 13 11 20.
intended as a general introduction and is not a substitute for professional medical, This is a confidential service.
legal or financial advice. Information about cancer is constantly being updated and
revised by the medical and research communities. While all care is taken to ensure
accuracy at the time of publication, Cancer Council Australia and its members
exclude all liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on
the information provided in this fact sheet.