Building Cancer Support Networks resources
The Building Cancer Support Networks (BCSN) Initiative's aim is to improve the availability of information and support for people affected by cancer. Cancer Australia is working with a range of organisations to build an innovative, coordinated and sustainable approach to cancer support.
Listed below are some of the consumer information and support resources that organisations have developed with funding assistance from this program.
- Cancer support projects
- Adolescents and young adults
- Bowel cancer
- Gynaecological cancers
- Leukaemia and lymphoma
- Lung cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
Cancer support projects
Cancer Council Australia
This publication provides a national review of cancer consumer support networks, identifies the key principles or success factors of effective cancer support groups for people living with cancer, their families and carers, and identifies current gaps in consumer support.
Cancer Council Queensland
This resource kit was developed by the Cancer Council Queensland to increase the capacity and effectiveness of cancer support groups in Queensland.
[top]
Adolescents and young adults
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
This project was undertaken by the onTrac@PeterMac Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Team. The project developed a professionally facilitaed peer support and education based survivorship group for adolescents and young adults living with cancer throughout Victoria.
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
This pilot project was undertaken by the onTrac@PeterMac Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Team. The project developed and tested innovative strategies for supportive care for adolescents and young adults living with cancer, using information and communication technologies.
- Using emerging technologies to improve supportive care for young adults living with cancer - Final Report (PDF 234KB)
- Towards Social Connection For Young People with Cancer (PDF 215KB)
[top]
Bowel cancer
Cancer Council Victoria
This project examined the acceptability of peer support for people affected by bowel cancer in metropolitan and regional areas of Victoria, including the barriers to participation. The project also identified the preferred methods for delivering peer support to this specific group of people.
[top]
Gynaecological cancers
Ovarian Cancer Australia
Ovarian Cancer Australia Information Sheets developed for women with ovarian cancer, their family and friends. Topics include:
- Understanding ovarian cancer
- Treatment
- Coping with chemotherapy
- Support
- Staying well
- Complementary therapies
Sydney Adventist Hospital
This project focused on the needs of people affected by gynaecological cancers and lung cancer by refining and evaluating a model of support for both groups.
[top]
Leukaemia and lymphoma
Leukaemia Foundation
Talk Blood Cancer
This is an online support and information forum for people living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related disorders, and their friends and families.
[top]
Lung cancer
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
This project assessed the support needs of patients with lung cancer in Victoria and developed a model for delivering peer and other types of support to this group.
- Developing a model for peer support for patients with lung cancer – Final Report (PDF 82KB)
- What should a support program for patients with lung cancer look like? Differing attitudes of patients and support group facilitators (PDF 1012KB)
- Development and piloting of a peer support program for people affected by lung cancer (PDF 850KB)
[top]
Pancreatic cancer
Cancer Council NSW
This project was undertaken to provide models of supportive care and information specifically tailored for people with pancreatic cancer, their families and carers. The project provides support through face-to-face groups, telephone groups, peer support and online activities.
[top]
