New website resource helps health professionals support cancer patients

Cancer Council NSW is here to help you as a healthcare professional. If you have a patient or carer who needs support, we can help you find the right service to meet their information, emotional or practical needs throughout their cancer experience. 

We’ve just launched a new section on our website dedicated to health professionals and how you can provide supportive care to your patients.  

As health professionals, you are uniquely positioned to observe the many impacts of cancer and to connect patients and their carers to supportive care services, helping to ease the burden of a cancer diagnosis.  

13 11 20 Information and Support Service 

Our 13 11 20 Information and Support Service is staffed by an experienced team of health professionals, who can support your patients and their carers, from diagnosis and treatment through to survivorship and palliative care.  

If you have a patient or carer who needs support, we can help find the right service to meet their information, emotional or practical needs.  

If you are unsure what support your patient or carer needs, our 13 11 20 consultants can talk to them about any cancer-related concerns and provide information and/or navigation to appropriate supportive care services. 

Emotional support services 

Most people will experience a range of emotions after a cancer diagnosis. We provide a variety of support services to help patients and their families better cope with the emotional impact of cancer including: 

• One-on-one telephone peer support: Connect your patients with someone who has had a similar experience. This peer support can be incredibly comforting and empowering. 

• Counselling sessions: Professional counsellors and psychologists are available to offer guidance and support, helping patients and their families cope with the emotional impact of cancer. 

• Telephone support groups: Connect people affected by cancer – patients, carers, and bereaved carers – with others going through similar experiences.  

Learn more about our psychosocial and emotional support services. 

Practical support services 

Beyond emotional challenges, cancer patients often face numerous practical difficulties that can impact work and finances. Our services help alleviate some of the burdens that can follow a cancer diagnosis, including: 

• Legal support: If your patients and their carers are experiencing financial hardship, we can help them access advice on legal issues associated with a cancer diagnosis.

• Workplace support: We can help patients and carers access guidance and support regarding workplace issues that arise due to a cancer diagnosis. 

• Financial support: We can support your patient and/or their carer to manage financial issues arising from a cancer diagnosis.  

• Accommodation and transport: We may also be able to support patients with issues travelling to treatment and accessing accommodation for patients and their family during treatment. 

Information and resources 

Getting reliable, evidence-based information is very important for patients and their families. We offer many resources to keep everyone informed and empowered including: 

• Publications and webinars: Our easy-to-read booklets and fact sheets can be downloaded or ordered, and we also have webinars on different cancer-related topics. 

• Multilingual resources: We offer information in many languages, so patients and carers can get the support they need no matter what language they speak. 

• Podcasts and online communities: Encourage your patients and their carers to listen to our podcasts and join our online groups for extra support and information.