ACCF’s CerviCan Support Program supports Australian women and their families who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer. With over 900 women diagnosed with cervical cancer each year in Australia, ACCF is often the first point of contact for these women after their diagnosis. ACCF offers support, information and resources to help these women and their families at this stressful and scary time.
Due to COVID-19, the ACCF team are currently working from home but we are checking messages and emails regularly. If you or someone you know has been recently diagnosed with cervical cancer and you need support please call 1300 727 630 and leave a message or please click here to send an email with your contact details and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Faces of Cervical Cancer Support Booklet
ACCF is thrilled to announce the launch of the Faces of Cervical Cancer- Support Booklet. This is for women and families affected by cervical cancer. It includes information, resources and stories from women who have walked this path and continue to do so. We hope it gives you the information you need at this time. A printable version will be available soon.
Diagnosis Support
CancerAid
ACCF is proud to be a partner of CancerAid who work to empower cancer patients and their caregivers by providing a unique cancer management and support application. Available on iPhone and Android for free, tools varying from a symptom tracker to a personal journal is accessible to the user. Read more here.
Support Groups
Cancer Council Online Community
Cancer Council Online Community is a free, professionally moderated online support community where people living with and affected by cancer can find, receive and provide support by participating in groups, discussions, blogs and webinars. You can join the forums here.
Healthshare
Healthshare is an online support community that enables you to connect and share with other people around Australia. By joining the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation’s Healthshare Community, you will be able to ask questions, share your personal experience, find support within the community, and access high quality information about cervical cancer. Click here for more information about Healthshare, visit their cervical cancer page, and have a look at ACCF’s community for further information and to connect with people who know what you are going through.
Facebook Support Group (AU/NZ)
This Facebook page has been created to provide an active, supportive group of women made up of over 600 members from Australia and New Zealand who have, or have had Cervical Cancer, or other gynaecological cancer, issues. The page offers women a place to come together for support, understanding, love, humour, and above all friendship. Also open to carers, family and your support network.
If you would like to join this group please follow this link https://www.facebook.com/groups/644503988935517 and submit your request to join.
Counterpart Gynaecological & Breast Cancer Support
Counterpart is an information and support service for Victorian women living with breast or gynaecological cancers, including cervical cancer. They provide a range of information and support services through their city based Resource Centre, digital and outreach projects. They support women with cancer to live well, along with their family and friends. Counterpart offers women a holistic, women-centred, community based service that works in tandem with their medical systems and existing support systems. They offer a confidential, free service. Counterpart is a service of Women’s Health Victoria and is supported by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.
NB: Women living outside of Victoria can still register for any Counterpart webinars that are of interest to them.
For more information visit their website www.counterpart.org.au
Cancer Council Australia
Cancer Councils coordinate a network of cancer support groups, services and programs to help improve the quality of life of cancer patients, people living with cancer, their families and carers.
They provide information about all aspects of cancer to cancer patients and the general community, through Cancer Council 13 11 20.
To contact the Cancer Council in your state or territory visit: http://www.cancer.org.au/about-us/state-and-territory-councils/
Cancer Council NSW has produced 10 informative podcasts for those affected by cancer, including family & friends. Topics include: “Explaining Cancer to Kids”, “Appetite Loss & Nausea” & “New Cancer Treatments: Immunotherapy & Targeted Therapy”. Podcasts can be accessed via https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/podcasts/
Look Good Feel Better
Look Good Feel Better for women is a free community service program that provides useful information and tips specifically tailored to help women deal with the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. Home-delivered Confidence-Kits are a supplementary service developed to assist cancer patients who are unable to attend a Look Good Feel Better workshop for health, travel or personal reasons. Visit their website here.
Work & Financial Support
The Work after Cancer website is a resource to support work during and after cancer diagnosis, providing advice to people diagnosed with cancer, their loved ones, clinicians and employers about their options, rights and responsibilities.
This website also offers information relating to financial assistance for people diagnosed with cancer and their families.
Mummy’s wish
Mummy’s wish aims to support Australian families with children aged 12 years and under, through the provision of immediate and non-means tested support whilst mum is receiving treatment for cancer. They can give you a call to chat through advice on how to juggle cancer treatment and family commitment, help with housework and many other practical tasks. Contact them here.
CanTeen
CanTeen supports those aged 12-25 whose world has been turned upside down by cancer, including those with a parent who has cancer. For more information click here.
Cervical Cancer Information
Cancer Council Australia or call them on 13 11 20
Health Direct: Cervical Cancer
Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia
Intimacy and sexuality for women with gynaelogical cancer
Vaccination and Cervical Screening
HPV School Vaccination Program
Australian Immunisation Register
National Cervical Screening Program
QLD Cervical Cancer Screening Program
ACT Cervical Cancer Screening Program
NSW Cervical Cancer Screening Program
Cervical Cancer Vaccine – Cancer Council information website
Research
World Health Organisation (WHO)
Translational Research Institute
Cancer and Health
Cervical Cancer – Cancer Council NSW
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Women’s Health Queensland Wide Inc – Health Information
Counterpart (see info under “Support Groups” above) conducts some information sessions which are also offered as webinars. You can access videos of some of the webinars they have held in the past at Counterpart webinars