Travelling for treatment

Making decisions about your treatment

If you live in rural South Australia, it’s likely you’ll need to travel to a larger city (often Adelaide) for cancer treatment. Having to travel for treatment can bring uncertainty around the costs involved, logistics of getting there and the social and emotional support available.

It’s important to consider, plan for and seek support regarding where to stay and how you’ll get there, time off work, the disruption to your normal routine and being away from family and friends.

This may be overwhelming and as a result, some people who live in rural areas consider putting off or refusing treatment that requires travel. If you’re struggling with the decision and the impact it will have, it’s very important that you have a discussion with your doctor around the decision and completely understand the costs and benefits of all treatment options available to you.

It’s also important to recognise choosing not to travel for treatment may have a significant impact on your health and chances of survival.

Telling your family and friends (and coping with their reactions)

Whether you feel uncomfortable talking about something so personal, or you’re unsure how your family and friends will react, sharing the news of a cancer diagnosis can often be hard.

Although you may want to protect the people you care about, telling them about your diagnosis can also bring people closer together. It’s completely up to you how much detail you share and when to share it, but it is unlikely that hiding your diagnosis will work. Sooner or later, your family, friends and surrounding community will find out that you have cancer.

By telling people yourself you can prevent misunderstandings, stay in control of the information that is shared and allow people to be there and support you. At times it may feel like nobody understands what you’re going through, but you can help them understand by talking about it.

You may also find that talking about cancer is not as difficult as you first thought—and by sharing the news, you will help ensure that you don’t have to go through cancer alone.

Download our booklet ‘Talking to Kids About Cancer’

Dealing with the emotional impact of your diagnosis

A cancer diagnosis can be an emotional time for you, your family, friends and community. It may leave you and those around you feeling upset, frightened and overwhelmed. These feelings can sometimes make it hard to understand and remember the information provided to you by health professionals.

You may experience strong emotions from when you first hear the words “you have cancer” and at any stage of your diagnosis.

If you or a loved one are feeling distressed following a cancer diagnosis, we encourage you to contact:

• Cancer Council on 13 11 20 for information and support, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm Monday to Friday (excluding Public Holidays).
• Visit SA Health to see the range of specialist mental health services available in your area. If you require urgent mental health assistance you can call the Rural and Remote Distance Consultation and Emergency Triage and Liaison Service on 13 14 65 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This service offers trained counselling and support from mental health experts to those in rural and remote communities impacted by cancer.
• Lifeline on 13 11 14 for 24-hour mental health support.

Download our booklet ‘Emotions and Cancer’

Other support services that may help

When making decisions about your treatment, it is important to remember that there are a number of support services available that can support you when deciding how to get there and where to stay. Being well prepared can help reduce some of the worry and anxiety associated with treatment.

Cancer Care Coordinators/Patient Liaison Nurses may be available in your region to support you with navigating the medical system. Ask your GP or local health team about whether there are Cancer Care Coordinators or Patient Liaison Nurses in your local area.

The Royal Adelaide Hospital have Rural Liaison Nurses who are registered nurses that may be able to assist you with issues, such as accommodation and transport before and during your treatment. They may also be able to help make arrangements for you when you return home.

Social workers can help you deal with practical, financial and emotional issues while you undergo treatment. Social work services may be available to patients, their families and friends to help them deal with the issues they face. For more information:

• Flinders Medical Centre
• Northern Adelaide Local Health Network
• Royal Adelaide Hospital
• The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
• Women’s and Children’s Hospital (Children)
• Women’s and Children’s Hospital (Women)

For hospitals not listed above, check with your treatment team to see if social work services are available.

If you are a guest at Cancer Council Greenhill Lodge speak to reception about organising a meeting with an onsite social worker. They may be able to assist you with financial, emotional or practical difficulties you are facing.

Getting ready to leave home for treatment

There are a number of things that you can do before you leave home for treatment to ensure you feel well prepared:

• Ask your local GP about the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS) and get them to fill in the form for you.
• Ask your local GP if there is a Cancer Care Coordinator at your local health service who may be able to help you.
• Speak to your doctor if you’re having trouble sleeping or are in pain.
• If necessary, make arrangements for people to keep an eye on your house, pets, garden etc. while you are away.
• Download the app Gather my Crew to organise family, friends and community support.
• Let any groups or services that you’re involved with know that you will be away for a period of time (e.g. Meals on Wheels, paper delivery, local recreational clubs).
• Consider obtaining ambulance cover if you don’t have it already. If you’re medically required to be transferred home via road or air ambulance, it can be very costly without it. Visit SA Ambulance Service or contact them on
  1300 13 62 72 to organise cover.
• If you have children, you may consider letting their school counsellor or classroom teacher know what is happening and offering them ideas about how they can support your child in the school environment.
• As well as writing down all of the medications you’re currently taking (including both prescription, non-prescription and any alternative medicines), make some notes about your medical history, including any major prior illnesses or surgeries.
• If you feel well enough, consider doing some gentle exercise, such as walking. Only do as much as you can manage physically and mentally and remember this may be less physical activity than you’re used to.
• Eat a nutritious and balanced diet.

What to take when travelling for treatment and medical appointments

If you are travelling to Adelaide for treatment, it’s important to remember to bring the following with you to assist your health care team:

• Referrals
• X-rays/scans
• A list of current medications (including prescription, non-prescription and any alternative medicines)
• Medication (including travel sickness pills, if necessary)
• Medicare, Pension, Health care, Veterans Affairs and Pharmaceutical Safety Net cards
• Photo identification, such as your driver’s license or passport. This is especially important if you’re travelling by bus or air
• Phone numbers of your health professionals, family members and friends
• Money or debit/credit card
• Hospital admissions paperwork
• Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS) form, completed by your local GP
• Private health insurance details
• Notes/letters/reports from your doctors
• Toiletries
• Clothes
• Pyjamas/dressing gown/slippers
• Reading material, laptop, tablet/iPad
• Glasses and mobility aids (if required)
• Laundry powder (if you’re staying at the Cancer Council Lodge)

Managing your financial issues

After a cancer diagnosis, many people worry about how they will manage the financial impact, especially if they have to travel to Adelaide for treatment. At the same time, a diagnosis may also mean taking time off work, or a loss of income for both you and your partner.

To help manage your financial security, we recommend exploring the following before you begin treatment:

• Speak to your employer or boss about taking leave, leave entitlements and flexible working arrangements (if applicable).
• Check whether you have Income Protection Insurance. This can be included in your superannuation policy. Find out whether it covers your situation and whether there is a waiting period before you can make a claim.
• Contact Centrelink to see if you are eligible for any financial support by visiting Services Australia or calling
  13 27 17.
• Visit SA Health for information on the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS).
• Discuss your situation with your utility providers (e.g. gas, water, electricity), banks and other lenders. They can make allowances for people experiencing financial hardship by extending payment periods and deferring or reducing loan repayments.
• Obtain free financial advice by visiting the National Debt Helpline or calling them on 1800 007 007.
• Visit the Money Smart website for a list of free financial counselling services.
• Head to the Medicare website or phone 132 011 for advice on what medical expenses are covered and how much you’ll be reimbursed.
• Speak to a social worker in your treating hospital about your situation. They may be able to suggest financial assistance you may be eligible for.

If you are intending to enter the health system as a private patient, make sure you carefully examine your policy and ensure you’re covered for all aspects of your treatment. It’s important you understand all of the advantages and disadvantages of being admitted through the private system.

Download our booklet ‘Cancer and Your Finances’

Download our booklet ‘Cancer, Work and You’

Learn more about financial assistance that may be available from Cancer Council SA

Handling your legal issues

A cancer diagnosis can raise several legal issues. For example, you may need to write or revise a Will, organise your Power of Attorney and deal with your superannuation, insurance, work and compensation. Dealing with these legal and financial issues can sometimes be overwhelming, but fortunately, support is available.

• Call Cancer Council 13 11 20 for information about Cancer Council’s Legal and Financial Referral Services.
• Speak to your social worker about your legal concerns.
• Visit the Legal Services Commission South Australia website for information about a range legal issues or phone the Free Legal Helpline on 1300 366 424.
• Community Legal Centres (CLCs) can help you find legal and welfare services in your region.
• Community Justice Services SA has legal centres in Southern Adelaide, Riverland and Limestone Coast.
• Northern Community Legal Service provides legal services to Adelaide’s north.
• Westside Community Lawyers provide free of charge legal assistance services to eligible members of South Australia’s Mid North and Outback.

Rural cancer stories

Rural Cancer Stories features the stories of country cancer patients, survivors and their carers.

For further information and support, call Cancer Council 13 11 20 to speak to an experienced cancer nurse who can tailor information to meet your specific needs.