Our Services: Northern Cancer Institute

Support Services

The diagnosis of cancer has probably left you feeling frightened, confused and maybe angry. None of these feelings are unusual; they are shared by most people at some point.

There is a large range of information and support services available. Many professionals are on hand to help you in managing the effects of your medical condition, your treatment, and the associated emotional impact. Talk to our staff. We can assist you in choosing the most appropriate services.

The NSW Cancer Council is an excellent source of information and support. They have a wide variety of resources available to assist cancer patients and their families including booklets and both telephone and face to face support groups.
Telephone: 13 11 20
Website: www.cancercouncil.com.au

Cansupport

Cansupport is a programme of care, support and education for people with cancer, their families and carers.
The Cansupport co-ordinator is Mandy O’Reilly, Telephone: 9926 7246.

Some of the services and groups available through Cansupport include:

• Cansupport information/support meetings
• The “Look Good ... Feel Better” Program with regular workshops
• The monthly prostate Cancer Group
• Early breast cancer information and support program
• The monthly women with metastatic breast cancer group
• Resources Centre
• Weekly Relaxation/Meditation sessions
• Educational meetings

Cansupport also have volunteers who are ex cancer patients trained to give support to help you through a difficult time. These volunteers are available to visit you in hospital or at home and can also provide telephone support.

Look Good ... Feel Better Program

Look Good...Feel Better is a free community service program dedicated to helping women undergoing treatment for cancer. The purpose of the program is to help them manage the appearance related side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, thereby helping to restore their appearance and self image.
Website: www.lgfb.org.au

Other support services

Our staff can also assist with arranging:

• Dieticians
• Clinical Psychology
• Occupational therapy
• Community Nursing services with staff specialising in oncology
• Palliative Care/Pain Management
• Lymphoedema Specialists
• Pathology Home Collection

The Sydney Neuro-Oncology Group is an educational support group. The organisation is a non-profit organisation that aims to research, educate and follow up the progress of all of their brain tumour patients. The SNOG co-ordinator is Heather McConachie. Telephone: 8425 3369 Monday to Wednesday Email: mcconechieh@ramsayhealth.com.au. Website: www.snog.org.au.

NSW Cancer Institute www.treatment.cancerinstitute.org.au

Suzanne’s Wigs www.suzannewigs.com.au Click here to view other wigs and suppliers information

Cancer Backup (UK Site) www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Home

The Cancer Council Australia www.cancer.org.au

Bowel Cancer & Digestive Research Institute Australia www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/bowel_cancer

Australian Government Dept of Health & Ageing Stoma appliance scheme www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/Stoma+ Appliance+Scheme-1

Food Standards Australia Diet information including downloadable brochure 'Listeria and Food: Advice for people at risk' www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodmatters/listeria

For patient advocacy

Cancer Voices NSW
www.cancervoices.org.au

For support for young people living with cancer (12-24 years)

Canteen
www.canteen.org.au