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The Optimal Care Pathways outline consistent, safe, high-quality and evidence-based care for people with cancer. Relevant to every step along the cancer continuum, the Optimal Care Pathways aim to improve patient outcomes for people affected by cancer and ensure that Australians diagnosed with cancer receive the best care irrespective of where they live or receive cancer treatment.

The Optimal Care Pathways set out key principles for optimal cancer care at each step of the patient journey from prevention through to survivorship and end of life care, and optimal timeframes within which tests or procedures should be completed.

National Optimal care Pathways Framework

The National Optimal Care Pathways Framework standardises the development, update, evaluation and uptake of Optimal Care Pathways (OCPs), including for priority population groups.

National endorsement

Optimal Care Pathways are endorsed by the Cancer and Population Screening (CAPS) Committee following advice from Cancer Australia’s National Cancer Expert Group (NCEG). NCEG supports the wider dissemination and application of OCPs across jurisdictions.

For health professionals and health services

The Optimal Care Pathways are available in their full version or as a Quick Reference Guide (summary version).

For people affected by cancer 

Consumer versions of the Optimal Care Pathways "Guides to Best Cancer Care" are available to help patients and their families, and carers to understand the optimal cancer care that should be provided from diagnosis, through to treatment and beyond. They are available in multiple languages.

The Guides to Best Cancer Care include optimal timeframes within which tests or procedures should be completed; prompt lists to support patients to understand what might happen at each step of their cancer experience and to consider what questions to ask; and provide information to help patients and carers communicate with health professionals.

Browse the Optimal Care Pathways

Optimal care pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer Second edition.

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Optimal care pathway for adolescents and young adults with cancer

For health professionals and health services

Acute leukaemia in children, adolescents and young adults

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Acute myeloid leukaemia

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Breast cancer

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Cancer of unknown primary

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Cervical cancer

For health professionals and health services

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Chronic myeloid leukaemia

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Colorectal cancer

For health professionals and health services

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Endometrial cancer

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Head and neck cancer

For health professionals​ and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Hepatocellular carcinoma

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

High-grade glioma 

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Hodgkin and diffuse large B cell lymphoma

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Keratinocyte cancer (basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma)

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Low grade lymphomas

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

 

Lung cancer

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Melanoma

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Multiple myeloma

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Myelodysplastic syndrome

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Neuroendocrine tumours

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Oesophagogastric cancer 

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Ovarian cancer

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Pancreatic cancer

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Prostate cancer

For health professionals and health services

 

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families

Sarcoma (bone & soft tissue sarcoma)

For health professionals and health services

For people affected by cancer including patients, carers and families