The Cancer Wellness Program has been made possible through Dry July and donations made by the community. The program encompasses a range of activities to assist in improving the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of patients and carers with cancer.
The program is run by a Wellness Coordinator and it hopes to soon introduce workshops such as yoga, meditation and oncology massage.
Click here for more information.
Facilitated by trained health professional, these free Cancer Council Victoria education programs empower people affected by cancer with useful skills and helpful information.
If you have been diagnosed with cancer or know someone who has, this is your chance to learn more about:
• What cancer is and how treatment decisions are made
• The various symptoms, cancer treatments and side effects
• The doctor-patient relationship
• How to access the cancer services available
• Information on important factors like diet and exercise
• Myths about cancer
• Relationships, self-esteem and body image
• Coping with loss and grief
You will also have the opportunity to share stories and tips with others going through similar experiences.
To find out more
Phone: 13 11 20
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cancervic.org.au
Look Good Feel Better is dedicated to teaching cancer patients how to manage the appearance-related side-effects caused by cancer treatment. Women, men and teens participate in a practical workshop which covers skincare, make-up and headwear demonstrations, leaving them empowered and ready to face their cancer with diagnosis with confidence.
To find out more
Phone: 1800 650 960
Website: www.lgfb.org.au
|
Venue Name |
Date |
Time |
Type of workshop |
|
Bendigo Cancer Centre |
9/4/2019 |
9.30am-12pm |
Womens |
|
Bendigo Cancer Centre |
4/6/2019 |
9.30am-12pm |
Womens |
|
Bendigo Cancer Centre |
23/7/2019 |
9.30am-12pm |
Womens |
|
Bendigo Cancer Centre |
17/9/2019 |
9.30am-12pm |
Womens |
|
Bendigo Cancer Centre |
19/11/2019 |
9.30am-12pm |
Womens |
Phone: 5444 1184
Website: www.otisfoundation.org.au
Email: [email protected]
Breast Care Nurse Consultants have specialist training in breast cancer and can provide assistance and support throughout cancer treatment and beyond. We work closely with all specialists involved in breast cancer treatment, with a focus on surgical treatments. Assistance provided includes answering questions about breast cancer, providing information about treatment options, coordination of care including referrals and appointments, providing clinical care during your post-operative period, discussing options for breast prosthesis and reconstruction, provide access to a range of other support services dependant on needs (such as non-profits) and providing emotional and psychosocial support.
The service is free and available to all patients with breast cancer throughout their treatment time and once treatment is complete.
Office hours are Monday - Friday 8am-4.30pm.
You can self-refer or have a health professional refer you by calling 03 5454 6363 or via email [email protected]
Operating on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the metastatic breast care nurse service is another source of support for those patients whose breast cancer has spread to other sites. You can find out more by calling 0429 579 776.
The Urology Nurse Practitioner is a highly specialised nurse that sees patients with urological cancers including prostate, bladder and kidney cancers. The role includes investigation and evaluation of risk of prostate disease, care coordination and referral to other specialist services, long term survivorship follow up and management of treatment side effects and community group education.
Your medical consultant may refer you to this service, and you can also request a referral.
The Bendigo Cancer Centre is a member of LMICS. LMICS is one of a network of Integrated Cancer Services across Victoria. These are funded by the Victorian Government and were established in 2004 to facilitate the implementation of the Cancer Services framework for Victoria.
LMICS aims is to work with clinicians and health services to facilitate improvements in cancer services within the Loddon Mallee region.
The Bendigo Cancer Centre’s Cancer Rehabilitation Program aims to provide support and to encourage cancer patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle during and after treatment.
The free 7 week rehabilitation program is available to cancer patients during and following their treatment. The program includes education, exercise and relaxation facilitated by allied health staff. Education includes: managing fatigue, exercise, rest and sleep, diet and nutrition, and coping strategies.
The Rehabilitation Program runs weekly on a Tuesday morning from 10.45am-12.30pm in Bendigo Health’s Cancer Centre education room. A referral from your health professional is required to register for the program. Click here to download the referral form.
The Wellness and Life after Cancer program is for those moving from clinical treatment to survivorship. This supportive care program assists survivors to make the change from clinical management to supported self-management.
Hear presentations from health professionals and discuss topics including:
• Adjusting to physical and emotional changes after cancer treatment
• Working with your GP to build a healthy lifestyle
• Returning to work
• Managing the financial impacts of cancer
• Connecting to support services in your community
You will also have the opportunity to share stories and tips with others going through similar experiences.
To find out more
Phone: 13 11 20
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cancervic.org.au
To find out more
Bendigo Health Gobbe Wellness Centre: 5454 7140
Many people who have had cancer and cancer treatment have fatigue (tiredness). It is the most common side effect and there are many ways to help manage this. The radiotherapy centre is offering a free program for Peter Mac radiotherapy patients to prevent and manage fatigue. The four week program will include education, exercise and relaxation and will be run by physiotherapy, occupational therapy and other allied health staff. Topics covered include: managing fatigue, exercise, rest and sleep, and diet and nutrition. It runs weekly on a Thursday afternoon, 2.30-4pm in the education room in the Cancer Centre.
A referral from a health professional is required. If you are unable to attend a group program, individual sessions can be arranged.
The Pink ’n’ Teals support group meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 6.30pm and on the third Wednesday of the month for an afternoon tea, these meetings take place in the community. The group is facilitated by Michelle Gibson and Maree West.
Email: [email protected]
Women supporting women with cancer provides programs, information sessions, webinars and activities for all women diagnosed with breast and gynaecological cancers.
Phone: 1300 781 500
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.counterpart.org.au/stay-in-touch
Fourth Thursday of the month at St John of God Hospital, 6.00pm
Men’s support group is a place that provides a safe, non-judgmental environment for men affected by prostate cancer, a place for mateship, sharing and learning coping skills with others who understand what they are going through.
Phone: 0430 037 922 (Neil MacDonald)
0417 091 083 (David Heath)
Website: www.prostate.org.au
Bendigo Health is centrally located offering plenty of accommodation options close by the hospital. We suggest heading to the Bendigo Tourism website for more information. Limited accommodation is available in Bendigo for cancer patients, information regarding this can be found here.
You may be eligible for travel and accommodation assistance if you are traveling a significant distance from where you have your specialist medical treatment. The programs for Victorian residents is called the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS) and for NSW residents it is called the Isolated Patient Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS). For more information on these schemes please call VPTAS on 1300 737 073 or IPTAAS on 1800 IPTAAS (1800 478 227) to find out your eligibility on what you may be able to claim.
Receiving a cancer diagnosis and navigating one’s way through the health system is not always easy. A lot can happen very quickly when you’re diagnosed with cancer. Optimal Care Pathways (OCPs) are a framework for the delivery of consistent, safe, high-quality and evidence-based care for people with cancer. Linked to the Optimal Care Pathways are a suite of consumer resources to support people with cancer called What to Expect guides. The guides can help you make sense of what should happen. They will help you with what questions to ask your health professionals to make sure you receive the best care at every step. The guides outline the best cancer care for specific tumour types and can be found at: www.cancerpathways.org.au
Patients and their families can use the What To Expect guides to better understand the cancer care pathway through the often-complex health system. The guides have been endorsed by the National Cancer Expert Reference Group, Cancer Australia and Cancer Council Australia.
Phone: 13 11 20
Website: https://www.cancervic.org.au/get-support/for-health-professionals/cancer-support-referral
