Victoria Support Services

Cancer Council Helpline

Our Helpline 13 11 20 is a confidential telephone information and support service. For the cost of a local call from anywhere in Australia, specialist cancer nurses can answer questions about any aspect of cancer, including:

• How to prevent cancer or find it early
• How to cope with treatment and its side effects

They can also:

• Send information resources
• Put callers in touch with services in their local area
• Offer emotional support to cancer patients, their families and carers

Support for people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds

As 17% of Victorians were born in a country where English is not the first language, The Cancer Council Victoria’s Education Unit is committed to providing education and resources for culturally diverse communities. The Community Language Program employs a team of 30 female bilingual health educators who between them speak 22 languages. Through the delivery of cancer education sessions and the development of culturally appropriate resources, the program educates multicultural communities about cancer prevention and early detection. Much focus is given to women’s health, with ‘BreastHealth’ and ‘Pap tests’ being the most commonly requested topics.

Family Cancer Education Program

The aim of the Family Cancer Education Program is to educate general practitioners (GPs) on the genetics of cancer. It helps GPs develop skills in assessing a patient’s risk of family cancer and in offering appropriate management to patients, including linking them into services offered through the Victorian Family Cancer Genetics Service. Breast cancer is a focus of the program.

BreastHealth Program

The primary focus of the BreastHealth Program is on increasing the community’s awareness of breast cancer and participation in early detection activities through community promotion as well as professional education.

PapScreen Program

© 2008 Cancer Council