What is Cancer?
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells which can happen in any part of the body. Cells in the body usually repair and grow in a controlled manner. This system has ‘checkpoints’ within the body that ensure the growth of healthy cells. When this system fails for whatever reason, cancer can occur. These cancer cells can then spread (metastasise) to other parts of the body.
INFORMATION ABOUT CANCER
Cancer Council Australia provides up-to-date information about cancer. It includes, types of cancer, diagnosis and treatment, and managing side effects. The link to this website is below:
GUIDES TO BEST CANCER CARE/CANCER COUNCIL
The Cancer Council website provides a guide as to what happens when you are diagnosed with cancer and assists in ensuring you receive the best possible care.
OPTIONS FOR CARE
The following organisations provide cancer care to patients within the Hume region. Discuss where you want to have your treatment with your cancer specialist. Sometimes you may have to travel to Melbourne for treatment that is not available near your home.
Hospital Locations
GenesisCare
124 Corio Street
Shepparton
VIC 3630
Telephone: (03) 5825 9700
Seymour Health Cancer Service
Bretonneux Street
Telephone: (03) 5832 3777
Shepparton Private Hospital
20 Fitzgerald Street
Shepparton
VIC 3630
Telephone: (03) ) 5832 1200
Northeast Health Wangaratta
Oncology Day Unit
Community Care Centre
4/12 Clark Street
Wangaratta
VIC 3677
Telephone: (03) 5722 5194
Goulburn Valley Health (GV Health)
Peter Copulos Cancer and Wellness Centre
Graham Street
Shepparton, VIC 3630
Telephone: (03) 5832 3777
Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre
201 Borella Road
East Albury NSW 2640
Telephone: (02) 6064 1600
Supportive Care
Supportive care means the provision of services, information and resources a person may need:
• before and after a cancer diagnosis
• during treatment
• after treatment
People with cancer have diverse supportive care needs across the care pathway. These needs could be:
• physical
• emotional
• social
• psychological
• informational
• spiritual
• practical
Depending on your needs you may need other local services such as a dietician or social worker to help you.
'WeCan' is an Australian website which helps people affected by cancer find information and support. There are also links other organisations who support people with cancer.
Useful Information
WeCan
Cancer Council Australia
Cancer Council Victoria
https://www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-support-services/
Cancer Council NSW
Accessing Support Groups:
Please contact your local Cancer Centre to speak to the relevant support nurse to link you into a cancer support group in your area.
Cancer Council Victoria:
• https://www.cancervic.org.au/get-support/connect-and-learn
• https://www.cancervic.org.au/get-support/connect-and-learn/support-groups
Cancer Council NSW:
• https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/get-support/coping-with-cancer/cancer-support-groups/
• https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/get-support/coping-with-cancer/telephone-support-groups-for-cancer-patients-carers/
Hume Region Supportive Care Nurse Services
Both public and private patients can utilise this service by self-referral or health professional referral.
There is no charge for this service
Upper GI and Bowel Cancer Support Nurse
Lynda Morrison
Email: bcsn@gvhealth.org.au
Monday to Friday – 9.00am to 3.30pm
Breast Care Support Nurses
Michelle Parish – McGrath Breast Care Nurse
Email: breastcareservices@gvhealth.org.au
Monday to Friday – 8.00am to 4.30pm
Goulburn Region:
Goulburn Valley Health
Peter Copulos Cancer & Wellness Centre,
Graham Street Shepparton 3630 VIC
Phone (03) 5832-3777
Fax (03) 5832-2658
Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses
Sonia Strachan
Email: Sonia.Strachan@gvhealth.org.au
Monday to Friday – 8.00am to 4.30pm
Nicole Lewis
Email: pcsn@gvhealth.org.au
Monday & Friday – 8.00am to 4.30pm
Only Public patients can utilise this service by self-referral or health professional referral.
There is no charge for this service
Cancer Care Coordinator
Catherine Pool
Email: catherine.pool@gvhealth.org.au
Tuesday, alternate Thursday, Friday
9.00am to 5.30pm
Gynaecology & Breast Care Support Nurse
Melissa Gilmour
Email: Melissa.Gilmour@gvhealth.org.au
Available Monday to Friday
Both public and private patients can utilise this service by self-referral or health professional referral.
There is no charge for this service
Ovens Murray Region:
Albury Wodonga Health / Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre
201 - 239 Borella Road,
Albury NSW 2640
Breast Care Support Nurses
Robyn Goldsworthy
McGrath Breast Care Nurse
Clinical Nurse Consultant
Tel: 02 6064 1576
Mob: 0428 284 642
Email: Robyn.Goldsworthy@awh.org.au
Gabi Pulla
McGrath Breast Care Nurse
Clinical Nurse Consultant
Tel: 02 6064 1544
Mob: 0428 022 844
Email: Gabi.Pulla@awh.org.au
Monday to Friday – 8.00am to 4.30pm
Cancer Care Coordinators
Kate Robinson
Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre
Tel: 02 6064 1539
Email: awrcc.carecoordinator@awh.org.au
Nicole Webb
Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre
Tel: 02 6064 1539
Email: awrcc.carecoordinator@awh.org.au
Monday to Thursday & alternating Fridays – 8.30am to 5.00pm
Northeast Health Wangaratta
4/12 Clark Street
Wangaratta
VIC 3677
Telephone: (03) 5722 5194
Breast & Gynaecological Cancer Support
Northeast Health’s breast care and gynaecological cancer service offer specialist support to women and men with breast cancer and to women with gynaecological cancers.
Phone: (03) 5722 5473
Monday to Friday – 8.00am to 4.30pm
Cancer Support Nurses
Cancer support nurses are located in the Oncology Unit at Northeast Health and offer support and information to those who are affected by cancer.
Phone: (03) 5722 5194
Monday to Friday – 9.00am to 5.00pm
Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse
Community Nursing
Offering support to those with a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
This service is available 3 days per week, 8:00am to 4.:30pm. Please call to confirm days.
Phone: (03) 5722 5355
Palliative Care
What is palliative care?
Palliative care concentrates on maintaining quality of life by addressing physical symptoms, such as pain, nausea and shortness of breath. It also helps with emotional, social and spiritual needs. Palliative care services support the person who is ill, as well as their carers and family.
Who is palliative care for?
Palliative care can be introduced at the time of diagnosis, during the course of the illness, at the end of life and in bereavement. Palliative care can be given alongside treatments provided by other doctors or services. Palliative care may increase, reduce or stop, as your needs change. It is not limited to the last days or weeks of life.
Where is palliative care provided?
Palliative care is provided in the home, residential aged care facilities, hospitals and other health care centres.
What does palliative care offer?
The palliative care service provides home visit palliative care consultation, offering advice, support and assistance to people to help make informed choices about care options.
Palliative care services offer:
• Specialist palliative care assessments;
• Care coordination;
• Symptom support, advice and management;
• Practical support for everyday activities;
• Equipment loans;
• Individual and family emotional support;
• Bereavement care; and
• After hours telephone advice from specialist palliative care nurses.
Palliative care team includes:
• Specialist Palliative Care Nurses
• Bereavement support workers
• Family Support workers
• Volunteers and Volunteer Coordinators
• The teams work closely with other health professionals including (but not limited to) Physicians, GP’s and District Nurses.
• The teams are supported with secondary consultation and advice from the East Hume Palliative Care Consultancy Services, the Goulburn Region Palliative Care Consultancy Service and St Vincent’s Health Specialist Palliative Care Physicians.
How can I access the palliative care service?
You and your family can contact the service directly or be referred by your GP or other healthcare provider. The person being referred must consent to the referral and the involvement of their local GP to support care needs.
If you are not sure if palliative care is for you, call your nearest palliative care service or GP for a discussion and advice.
Community Palliative Care Services in the Hume Region
Benalla Palliative Care Service
Benalla Health
Ph: (03) 5761 4207
Fax: (03) 5761 4211
www.benallahealth.org.au
Goulburn Valley Hospice Care Service
Ph: (03) 5822 0068
Fax: (03) 5831 6570
www.hospice.shepparton.net.au
Lower Hume Palliative Care Service
Seymour Health
Ph: (03) 5735 8070
Fax: (03) 5735 8067
www.seymourhealth.org.au
Moira Palliative Care Service
NCN Health
Ph: (03) 5862 0558
Fax: (03) 5862 0569
www.ncnhealthservices.org.au
NHW Palliative Care Service
Northeast Health Wangaratta
Ph: (03) 5722 5184
Fax: (03) 5722 5419
www.northeasthealth.org.au
Wodonga Palliative Care Service
Albury Wodonga Health
Ph: (02) 6051 7423
Fax: (02) 6058 4314
www.awh.org.au
For further information:
Go to Palliative Care Victoria including the Victorian palliative care service search directory.
Clinical trials
Clinical trials aim to find a more effective way to manage a particular disease. They try new treatments to learn how people respond to them and what side effects might occur as a result. Clinical trials are one of many options for treatment of a disease or illness. Talk to your medical practitioner to seek advice on cancer clinical trials.
Useful Information
Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register http://www.anzctr.org.au/
Australian Cancer Trials Registry
http://www.australiancancertrials.gov.au/
Cancer Council Victoria’s Cancer Australia-Australian Cancer Trials
http://www.cancervic.org.au/trials/
Cancer Institute NSW
https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/
Cancer Trials Australia
GV Health Oncology Clinical Trials
GV Health currently participates in national and international trials to access new treatments that contribute to medical research. For enquiries about current trials or participation, contact the Clinical Trials Co-Ordinator on (03) 5832 3777.
Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Oncology Clinical Trials
Border Medical Oncology
Ph: 02 6064 1515
Fax: 02 6064 1516
Email: mail@bordermedonc.com.au
Survivorship
Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre (ACSC)
Over 1 million Australians are living with or beyond their cancer diagnosis.
due to advances in early detection, better treatments and ageing of the population. Many of these people go on to lead normal if not extraordinary lives, while for some cancer has a lasting impact. This can include ongoing side effects of treatment, fear of a cancer relapse or other physical, emotional, financial and social concerns.
In the past, cancer care has focused on diagnosis and treatment. However, international research shows it is also important to help cancer survivors cope with life beyond their acute treatment. It is important that survivors receive the right information and support at the right time.
Cancer Wellness Programs
Clinical research has established exercise as a safe and effective intervention to counteract many of the adverse physical and psychological effects of cancer and its treatment. Find out more about exercise and cancer using the buttons below.
GOULBURN & OVENS MURRAY
Cancer Wellness & Exercise Program
This free 8-week exercise and education program can provide you with information and help, and also help you and those around you develop practical strategies for managing life now and moving to wellness.
This program is run by trained health professionals, supported by Cancer Council Victoria, GV Health, Northeast Health, NCN Health & Seymour Health.
This local group program can assist you to:
• Increase your fitness and strength
• Improve your ability to perform daily tasks
• Learn how to manage life now
• Identify local support services available
• Better manage fatigue
• Adjust to physical and emotional changes after cancer treatment
To find out more about the Cancer Wellness & Exercise program please contact your local health service:
GV Health: Allied Health team on 1800 222 582 (select option 4)
Northeast Health Wangaratta: (03)5722 5523
NCN Health Numurkah: (03) 5832 0560
Seymour Health: (03) 5735 8050
Albury Wodonga Health / Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre
The AWRCC wellness program offers an exercise program (currently held virtually), mindfulness sessions, physio and massage.
Call the Wellness Centre Coordinator on 02 6064 1562 for further details
The Wellness Centre offers a tranquil place that promotes wellbeing, builds resilience and soothes the body, mind and spirit with support, empowerment and knowledge. It is for those diagnosed with cancer, their carers, family and friends.
It provides;
-
Access to local cancer services and resources.
-
Therapy rooms and a meeting room for our various programs.
-
Relaxation garden with outdoor seating.
-
Laptops with internet access, photocopying, printing and scanning services.
-
A library stocked with books and magazines.
-
A range of free beanies, scarves and headwear.
-
Disabled access toilet and baby changing facilities.
-
Complimentary tea, coffee and a range of snacks.
-
A safe space with comfortable chairs, lounges and quiet spaces.
-
Call the Wellness Centre Coordinator, Ben Engel on 02 6064 1562 or
Primary Care Connect – Community Cancer Exercise Program
This is a continuation of the GV Health Cancer Wellness & Exercise Program. The program is available a few times per week and requires a referral from the GV Health exercise physiologist post completion of the GV Health Cancer Wellness & Exercise Program.
Primary Care Connect
399 Wyndham Street,
Shepparton
Phone: (03) 5823 3200
Website: www.primarycareconnect.com.au
Email: exercisehealth@primarycareconnect.com.au
Support Groups
Bringing together people affected by cancer for extra support
Cancer support groups help bring together people affected by cancer to help them manage the challenges they may face.
They can provide a safe place for people to get together and support each other, share ideas, get extra information and learn coping skills in a non-judgmental environment.
Support groups may also engage in advocacy, practical support and social activities. Support groups can meet at locations and times that suit their members, including online.
They may have a specific cancer focus such as prostate or breast cancer, or can be open to people affected by any type of cancer.
Cancer Council can help you connect to local support groups in your local area. Get in touch with your local Cancer Council or call 13 11 20.
The Victorian Integrated Cancer Services are supported by the Victorian Government
© 2020 Hume Regional Integrated Cancer Service
The Victorian Integrated Cancer Services acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present. We celebrate, value and include people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities.