S - Z

Screening: Organised program to identify disease, such as cancer, before symptoms appear. Secondary cancer: Also called a metastasis. A tumour that has spread from the original site to another part of the body.

Shortness of breath: Difficulty in drawing sufficient breath or laboured breathing. Specialist palliative care team: Holistic team of health professionals who offer a range of services to improve your quality of life and help with any problems you have. A community nurse or palliative care nurse usually coordinates the team.

Stomatitis: Inflammation of the mouth.

Suppository: Drug delivery system that is inserted either into the rectum (rectal suppository), vagina (vaginal suppository) or urethra (urethral suppository) where it dissolves. Tumour: New or abnormal growth of tissue on or in the body.

Ultrasound: Use of soundwaves to build up a picture of the internal parts of the body. Vaccine: Biological preparation that establishes or improves immunity to a particular disease.

Voluntary euthanasia: Choosing a painless, medically assisted death in accordance with person’s expressed wishes and directions when that person is suffering severe pain or distress, with no reasonable prospect of recovery.

Will: Legally binding document that details how you want your assets and belongings to be distributed after you die.

X-ray: X-rays or ultrasound – may reveal tumours in certain parts of the body.
 

Return to CareSearch
Print options

Life, Hope & Reality was developed and written by Afaf Girgis, Claire Johnson, and Sylvie Lambert with funding from the NHMRC and Cancer Council NSW.

Last updated 30 August 2015