Cancer Council Australia
Cancer Helpline: 13 11 20
The Cancer Council Australia, and its state and territory councils, provides a number of services including a cancer helpline (open 8.30am-5.30pm Monday to Friday), accommodation for rural patients who require treatment in the city, practical and peer support, education programs about living with cancer and life after cancer. These services are designed for people with cancer, their carers/partners and friends.
One particularly valuable service offered is the Cancer Connect program, in which you have the opportunity to talk to someone of similar age who has experienced a similar type of cancer and treatment to yourself. This service does not provide medical opinions, but does provide practical suggestions and ideas of what to expect.
From the national Cancer Council homepage, you can click on an Australian map to select, and be redirected to, your local Cancer Council’s website.
Cancer Voices Australia
Cancer Voices Australia, and its state and territory organisations, is a consumer advocacy group that represents the views of Australians who have been affected by cancer. Their website contains a lot of useful information, and resources, while the state organisation websites contain online notice boards and the latest cancer-related news.
www.cancervoicesaustralia.org.au
Breast Cancer Network Australia
Breast Cancer Helpline: 1800 500 258
Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) works to ensure a better journey for all Australians affected by breast cancer. This organisation has a vast range of resources and support programs, including the BCNA Online Network, and the My Journey resource.
https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/bcna-resources/my-journey/
Carers Australia
For support and counselling Ph: 1800 242 636
This organisation, and its state and territory associations, provide services to carers such as counselling, advocacy, advice education and training, and also promote the recognition of carers to the government and community.
Look Good Feel Better
National: 1800 650 960
This service teaches beauty skills to any women undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy to help them with their appearance and therefore boost self-esteem. Workshops are held fortnightly and run for approximately 2 hours, often in the hospitals where you may be receiving treatment.
Beyond Blue
Information line: 1300 22 46 36
Beyond Blue is the national not-for-profit organisation which aims to address depression, anxiety and substance related disorders. They have developed a number of cancer-specific depression and anxiety resources, including breast, testicular and prostate cancers.
