Education & Resources

Understanding Cancer

Clear, compassionate, plain-language information to help you and your family understand a cancer diagnosis, treatment options, and what to expect.

💚 You are not alone. A cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. These guides are written to help — not to frighten. We use simple language, and we explain medical terms wherever they appear. Nandito kami para tulungan kayo.

Cancer Information by Type

Select the cancer type that applies to your situation to read a detailed guide.

🩻

Stomach Cancer

Article coming soon — contact us if you need information on this cancer type.

🧠

Brain Cancer

Article coming soon — contact us if you need information on this cancer type.

🦴

Bone Cancer

Article coming soon — contact us if you need information on this cancer type.

🩸

Blood Cancers

Leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma — article coming soon.

Just Diagnosed? Start Here.

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is one of the hardest moments in life. It's normal to feel shocked, scared, or confused. Here's what we recommend you do first:

  • 1 Don't rush. Most cancers allow time to gather a second opinion before deciding on treatment.
  • 2 Read your pathology report. Ask your doctor to explain it in simple terms. Write down your questions.
  • 3 Seek a second opinion. A Chinese oncologist can review your case and offer additional perspectives.
  • 4 Bring your family. Cancer treatment is a shared journey. Involve those closest to you.
Request a Specialist Consultation

Common Terms Explained

Biopsy

A procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed from your body and examined under a microscope to determine if cancer is present.

Benign

Not cancerous. A benign tumour does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.

Malignant

Cancerous. A malignant tumour can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells from where they first formed (primary site) to another part of the body (secondary site).

Oncologist

A doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Chemotherapy

Treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth. It can be taken orally or intravenously.

Immunotherapy

A type of cancer treatment that helps your immune system fight cancer. It uses substances made by the body or in a laboratory.

Targeted Therapy

Treatment that targets specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contribute to cancer growth.

Radiation Therapy

Treatment that uses high-energy beams (such as X-rays) to destroy cancer cells.

Staging

The process of determining how far the cancer has spread. Stages range from I (localised) to IV (spread to distant organs).

Remission

A decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer. In complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared.

Palliative Care

Specialised medical care focused on relieving the symptoms and stress of a serious illness — given alongside curative treatment.

Neoadjuvant Therapy

Treatment given before the main treatment (usually surgery) to shrink a tumour or kill cancer cells that have spread.

Adjuvant Therapy

Treatment given after the main treatment to lower the risk of the cancer returning.

PET Scan

Positron Emission Tomography — a type of imaging test that uses radioactive dye to look for cancer activity throughout the body.

EGFR Mutation

A specific genetic change in lung cancer cells that makes them sensitive to targeted therapy drugs like Erlotinib or Gefitinib.

HER2

A protein that helps cancer cells grow quickly. Breast cancers that test positive for HER2 respond to drugs like trastuzumab (Herceptin).

Triple-Negative

A type of breast cancer that tests negative for oestrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors. It does not respond to hormonal therapy.

AFP

Alpha-fetoprotein — a protein that may be elevated in the blood of people with liver cancer. Used as a tumour marker.

TACE

Transarterial Chemoembolisation — a procedure in which chemotherapy is delivered directly to a liver tumour through its blood vessels.

Have Questions We Haven't Answered?

Our coordinators can help clarify any information, or connect you directly with a specialist.

WhatsApp Viber Messenger Email