Peer support
Talk or listen to someone who has had cancer.
Peer Support provides emotional and practical support for people affected by cancer.
It provides an opportunity to share their experience with those that have had a similar cancer experience. Peer support can:
- support people to navigate their cancer experience
- reduce levels of distress
- increase their coping strategies
- reduce feelings of isolation
Cancer Connect
Cancer Council’s free, confidential Cancer Connect service provides an opportunity for a person to talk with someone who has ‘walked in their shoes’ and really understands what it is like to cope with cancer.
Cancer Connect links your client by phone to a trained volunteer with a similar cancer experience who can listen to their concerns and provide support. Carers can also talk to other carers about the changes and challenges they are facing.
Support is available for:
- people diagnosed with any type of cancer, along with cancer survivors
- those who have a higher genetic risk of developing cancer
- family and friends of someone with a cancer diagnosis
Eligibility criteria
Support is available at any stage throughout the cancer experience—at diagnosis, during or after treatment.
Referral process
For more information call Cancer Council 13 11 20.
Support groups
“The best thing about being in group is that the things I have experienced, so have others—I gain strength from talking to them.”
Cancer support groups allow people going through a similar experience to come together to support each other, share practical tips and develop friendships. Common feedback is that people say they can relax, joke and just be themselves in a cancer support group.
What can a support group help with?
A support group can help people access the information they need, increase their sense of control and reduce feelings of isolation.
Eligibility criteria
Face to face support group – whilst there is no eligibility criteria, group structure may vary greatly. Some groups are facilitated by a person who has had a cancer diagnosis, some by a carer and some by a health professional. They may take the form of a formal group that meets at a regular time or an informal group meeting for coffee and a chat.
Telephone Support Groups – all that is needed is a telephone, an hour and quiet space.
Referral process
Find a face to face support group here or call Cancer Council 13 11 20 for more information.
See the Telephone Support Groups calendar for more details on what telephone support groups are available or call 1300 755 632.
Cancer Council Online Community is a professionally facilitated online community for anyone affected by cancer. It is a supportive place to share stories, connect with others, to give and receive support from others with a similar experience.
It is free to join and there are three forum communities:
- I have cancer
- I had cancer
- Family, Friends and Carers.
Visit the community here or call Cancer Council 13 11 20 for more information.
The Thing About Cancer is a podcast from Cancer Council NSW providing information and insights for people affected by cancer. Episodes are hosted by Julie McCrossin, listen as she chats to experts about all things cancer.
The podcasts cover a range of different topics such as:
- advanced cancer
- family dynamics and cancer
- making treatment decisions
- sleep and cancer
- genetics tests and cancer
- sex and cancer
- explaining cancer to kids
- coping with a cancer diagnosis
- how to help someone with cancer
Find the podcasts here or call Cancer Council 13 11 20 for more information.
Rural Cancer Stories features the stories of country cancer patients, survivors and their carers. It includes information on how they have coped and continue to cope with cancer, things they wish they knew earlier and practical tips they want to share with people who are going through similar experiences.