You might feel overwhelmed, scared, anxious or upset if you have been diagnosed with cancer – these are all normal feelings. It's very important to have support from family, friends, health professionals or other services to help you cope with cancer.

Living with cancer has information about physical, emotional and practical issues during and after diagnosis and treatment.

Cancer Australia's resource Cancer – how are you travelling? provides information to help you understand the emotional and social impact of cancer. Order or download a copy.

Your guide to best cancer care

The Guide to Best Cancer Care (summary of the Optimal Care Pathway) is available to help you understand the best cancer care that should be provided from diagnosis, through to treatment and beyond. It is available in multiple languages.

It includes timeframes within which tests or procedures should ideally be completed. It can also help you with questions to ask your health professionals to make sure you receive the best care at every step.

• Head and neck cancer: Your guide to best cancer care

The full version of the Optimal care pathway for people with head and neck cancer is available here

There are also two resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to help you to know what to expect:

• Checking for cancer – what to expect
• Cancer – what to expect

Head and Neck Cancer Australia provides patients and their families with comprehensive, reliable and easily accessible information about a range of head and neck cancers, from diagnosis through to treatment and life after cancer.

The Cancer Council in your state or territory can give you general information about cancer, as well as information on resources and support groups in your local area. Call the Cancer Council Information and Support Helpline from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call on 13 11 20.

Other cancer support organisations can also help you and your loved ones deal with the challenges of cancer.