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Women who have advanced breast cancer will usually not be insured for any treatment that involves the breast cancer while travelling overseas, but can be insured for other health events.

If you want to help, ask what would be helpful.  Practical tasks – shopping, ironing, mowing the lawn, making a meal, walking the dog, hanging the washing –  are often the ones that take the effort, energy or time that someone who is having treatment doesn’t have.

Indian tonic water can help with cramps

Keep a history of your illness. Include dates of scans and results, as you will be asked these dates often. Ask your oncologist to explain what the results of investigations and tests mean.

Don’t feel you have to put up with pain. Tell your doctor. Ask for advice as to how best to use pain medication.

Ask questions.  Ask your doctor and/or your pharmacist to write down or spell the names of the treatments that you will be having, and to explain their effects and side-effects.

Anti-nausea wafers which dissolve on the tongue are available from your doctor. They don’t need swallowing, which can be useful with severe nausea.

Some women have found the pro-biotic drink available from supermarkets has been found to help with nausea

Paw-paw ointment has been found to be soothing for dry, blistered lips

If you have mouth ulcers try a mouthwash of baking soda in warm water.