Cancer Connect
- What is Cancer Connect peer support?
- Who is Cancer Connect for?
- Who are the Cancer Connect volunteers?
- How do I arrange to speak with a Cancer Connect volunteer?
What is Cancer Connect peer support?
Cancer Council WA recognise that some people with cancer find talking to someone who has been through a similar experience both reassuring and encouraging.
Cancer Connect is a one on one telephone peer support program that is managed by Cancer Council Victoria. Cancer Council WA has an agreement that enables you to access this program so that you can speak with a specially trained volunteer from Victoria who has had a similar cancer and treatment to you.
The volunteers are able to listen to your concerns, provide understanding, practical advice and emotional support to help you through your cancer journey.
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Who is Cancer Connect for?
People recently diagnosed with cancer
Partners, parents, family or friends of people caring for someone with a cancer diagnosis
People carrying a gene that increases their risk of
developing cancer
Who are the Cancer Connect volunteers?
About our Cancer Connect peer support volunteers
- Are at least two years past their treatment
- They all have completed a three-day induction training course and also receive ongoing education and support in their role
- They are not able to give medical advice or provide professional counselling.
- They are able to provide short term telephone support
How do I arrange to speak with a Cancer Connect volunteer?
Call 13 11 20 and speak to one of our Helpline staff or email using our registration form.
Describe your circumstances and the coordinator will arrange to match you with a volunteer who has had the same cancer and treatment as you or who shares a similar age and lifestyle.
Calls are confidential and the service can also be multilingual.
This program is kindly made available to West Australians via the Cancer Council Victoria website.
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Cancer Connect for people recently diagnosed
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be a very confusing and upsetting time. You may be feeling sad and anxious and unsure about what the future holds. Talking to someone who has already been through the experience can be helpful.
A Cancer Connect volunteer can listen to your concerns and talk to you about their experience, including treatments, side effects and coping strategies.
If your cancer has advanced and you would like to talk to someone call 13 11 20 and speak to a cancer nurse. The nurses can listen to your concerns and link you to other services.
Family Cancer Connect
It can be stressful when a partner, family member or friend is diagnosed with cancer. You may be worried about the treatment they’re having and how unwell the person is feeling. You may also feel a range of emotions including fear, grief and It can be helpful to talk to a person who has supported someone else through cancer. Our ‘family’ connect volunteers offer an opportunity to share experiences and discuss ways to cope with the changes in your life.
Survivors Cancer Connect
Many cancer survivors have concerns about their future and find it difficult to cope after treatment has finished. You may have experienced changes in the way you look, feel or how you can move around or communicate with others. Our ‘survivor’ volunteers have been through the emotional rollercoaster that a cancer diagnosis presents. They listen to your concerns and offer support that help you adjust to the changes in your life.
Cancer Connect for people carrying a gene that increases their risk of developing cancer
Discovering that you carry a gene that increases your risk of developing cancer can be frightening. You may face a range of difficult feelings and treatment decisions and feelings of distress are common.
Speaking to a gene support volunteer can alleviate some of these concerns. Gene support volunteers are men and women who also carry the cancer susceptibility gene. They have been trained to help others feel less worried and more able to adjust to their situation.
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