Practical, Emotional and Financial Support
A diagnosis of bowel cancer will raise so many questions for patients, their family and friends.
Following a diagnosis of bowel cancer it is vital that in addition to all the information you have been given relating to your proposed treatment plan, patients also have access to support, information and advice relating to non-medical matters.
This broadens the scope of support being offered from purely medical care to a much more holistic approach, covering the 'practical life issues' during treatment and beyond.
- Anahata Healing
Anahata Healing facilitates access to free yoga classes for those affected by cancer including families and carers.
- Australian Association of Stomal Therapy Nurses
The Association provides a range of patient education pamphlets regarding stoma management during pre and post-operative periods.
- Australian Council of Stoma Associations
The Council provides liaison with the Australian Government and appliance suppliers in relation to the Stoma Appliance Scheme as well as coordinates support services for ostomates through Australia.
- Bladder & Bowel website
The Bladder & Bowel website provides information on bladder and bowel health to people with bladder control and bowel problems, their family, friends and carers.
- Carers Australia
Carers Australia provides advice, information and counselling to carers, through their website, helpline, booklets and factsheets.
- Centrelink
Centrelink is an Australian Government Statutory Agency, assisting people to become self-sufficient and supporting those in need.
- Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centres
Information about community aged care, disability and other support services. The Centres arrange respite care when carers need a break.
- Continence Foundation of Australia
The Continence Foundation of Australia is the national peak body and provides information and resources about bladder and bowel management, continence services and assistance schemes available.
- Family Relationship Advice Line
Professional counsellors assist individuals, couple and families, including separating families, to resolve relationship issues that arise at various stages of their relationships.
- Home & Community Care Program (HACC)
The HACC Program provides services such as domestic assistance, personal care as well as professional allied health care and nursing services.
- LifeSupport Magazine
An everyday guide to living with cancer. LifeSupport is essential reading for all Australians living with cancer and those who support them.
- Lynch Syndrome Australia
Lynch Syndrome Australia, an all-volunteer organisation, is founded and governed by Lynch Syndrome survivors, their families, and health care professionals who specialise in Lynch Syndrome.
- NOW WHAT?
Now What...? Dealing with your parent's cancer is a Canteen resource providing information, practical tips, support and advice across a whole range of areas that impact young people who have a parent with cancer.
- Palliative Care Australia
Palliative Care Australia provides a range of consumer and health professional brochures and booklets regarding quality care.
- Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia
The peak body for counsellors and psychotherapists in Australia. Details of local, professionally qualified practitioners are available from the PACFA.
- Quest for Life Foundation
The Quest for Life Foundation provides a range of programs and services that encourage, empower and educate people living with cancer and other serious illnesses, or who are suffering from grief, anxiety, stress or trauma and for those who care for them.
- RedKite
Children and young people with cancer bring many personal strengths, abilities and resources to the cancer journey, as do their families and support networks. Redkite provides real and practical support through the cancer journey –including emotional, financial and education support for the whole family.
- The National Public Toilet Map
The National Public Toilet Map show the location of more than 14,000 public and private public toilet facilities across Australia. Information can be accessed via mobile phone or the Toilet Map App can downloaded for free from iTunes.
- Virtual Medicine Centre
Virtual Medicine Centre is a health and medical information website written by doctors. It includes trustworthy information on symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, drugs, lifestyle, 3D animations, medical tools and health forums.
- Young Carers
Young carers is a resource for people under the age of 26 who provide care in a family affected by illness, disability, mental health and/or drug or alcohol issues of one or more family members or friends.
Many cancer patients discover that one of the unexpected side-effects of cancer can be financial difficulties and practical complications with everyday issues, such as benefits, insurance, employment rights and so on.
Below is a list of organisations that may be able to help.
- Australian Council of Stoma Associations
The Council provides liaison with the Australian Government and appliance suppliers in relation to the Stoma Appliance Scheme as well as coordinates support services for ostomates through Australia.
- Australian Government website
Information is available here on public services, including housing, private renting, benefits, and life events.
- Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
The ATO provides up to date information on current rates and allowances on all taxation matters.
- Centrelink
Centrelink is an Australian Government Statutory Agency, assisting people to become self-sufficient and supporting those in need.
- Continence Foundation of Australia
The Continence Foundation of Australia is the national peak body and provides information and resources about bladder and bowel management, continence services and assistance schemes available.
- Extra Time Appeal (Victoria only)
The Extra Time Appeal exists to provide funding to support terminally ill people with funding towards the cost of essential medication/treatment no covered by the Australian Government's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
- Financial Information Service
Centrelink's Financial Information Service (FIS) is an education and information service available to everyone in the community. FIS helps people to make informed decisions about investment and financial issues for their current and future financial needs. FIS is independent, free and confidential and provides services through seminars, and by phone and appointment.
- Health Insurance
General information to help patients and their families be better prepared for the healthcare experience after a diagnosis of bowel cancer. Includes a brief summary outlining what you can expect from the health insurer during bowel cancer treatment. Always check with your insurer before you go to hospital. Visit the for Bupa Health Insurance website. Visit the GMHBA Health Insurance website.
- Jobs Services Australia
Job Services Australia supports people looking for work based on individual circumstances and caring responsibilities.
- Medicare Chronic Disease Dental Scheme
Under the Scheme, you may be eligible to receive a Medicare benefit for private, non-cosmetic dental assessments, preventive services, extractions, fillings, restorative work and dentures if cancer affects your oral health. Eligibility criteria apply.
- Medical Treatment Overseas (MTO) Program
The Program provides financial assistance for Australians with a life-threatening medical condition to receive proven life saving medical treatment overseas where effective treatment is not available in Australia.
- National Association of Community Legal Centres
Community legal centres are independent, non-profit community organisations that provide free legal services to the public. Community legal centres provide referral, advice and assistance and there services are provided free of charge.
- National Shelter Inc
National Shelter cannot house you, but provide information for people seeking housing or housing assistance through their State Shelter networks.
- Patient Assisted Travel & Accommodation Schemes
Transport and accommodation subsidy schemes operate in each state and territory that assists people in isolated and rural communities to gain access to specialist medical treatment not available in their own area.
- Redkite Financial and Education Assistance
A diagnosis of cancer brings extra financial demands. Redkite provides financial assistance for young people (up to the age of 24) and their families to help them manage everyday expenses. The charity assists with the costs of travel and accommodation near hospitals and essential household expenses, well as provides assistance through education grants and scholarships.
- Superannuation
From 1 July 2007, if you have a terminal medical condition and want to access your super, you can apply directly to your super fund. They decide whether to release your super. If your super fund allows these types of payments, you need to supply them with medical certification before they can make a payment. Payment of your super can only be made as a lump sum.
- Tax Help
Tax Help is a network of community volunteers who provide a free and confidential service to help people complete their tax returns at tax time. Eligibility criteria apply.
Many patients describe a rollercoaster of emotions during and after treatment for bowel cancer.
Keeping strong for children and other family members can often be hard when you are going through ups and downs yourself.
Talking to friends and partners can help, but you may also want to ask your doctor about specialist support available to you, such as counsellors.
Bowel cancer can have a major emotional impact, not only patients, but also their family, carers and friends.
The following list of organisations that may be able to help:
- Australian Centre for Grief & Bereavement
The Centre provides a range of education, counselling, research and clinical services for those affected by experiences of grief and bereavement.
- Carers Australia
Carers Australia provides advice, information and counselling to carers, through their website, helpline, booklets and factsheets.
- Family Relationship Advice Line
Professional counsellors assist individuals, couple and families, including separating families, to resolve relationship issues that arise at various stages of their relationships.
- Life Goes On
Life Goes On provides 24/7 telephone counselling for the seriously ill and their carers to help get more out of life.
- Lifeline
Lifeline is a confidential support service available for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
- NOW WHAT?
Now What...? Dealing with your parent's cancer is a Canteen resource providing information, practical tips, support and advice across a whole range of areas that impact young people who have a parent with cancer.
- Palliative Care Australia
Palliative Care Australia provides a range of consumer and health professional brochures and booklets regarding quality care.
- Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia
The peak body for counsellors and psychotherapists in Australia. Details of local, professionally qualified practitioners are available from the PACFA.
- Young Carers
Young carers is a resource for people under the age of 26 who provide care in a family affected by illness, disability, mental health and/or drug or alcohol issues of one or more family members or friends.
