Peer support
It’s really important to have your experiences validated and normalized by people who have been through a similar experience and understand what it’s like.
This is particularly true when living with a cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, for younger adults it’s common to complete treatment without even seeing someone of a similar age, and there are very few support services for this age group.
Obviously that is the gap that NinoxCSC plans to fill, but until we can take over Australia (the world?), here are some services that might help. You might also like to ask your medical team or social worker for recommendations.
We’ve also included online podcasts and video sessions from other international organisations. While they are not interactive, they are a great resource to hear others chat about the same issues and concerns you may have. We do plan on creating similar resources at NinoxCSC, so get in touch if you have the production skills or want to contribute your story.
Links
- Ninox Cancer Support Crew – events for people in their 20s and 30s. Online and in-person (Perth currently)
National
- Cancer-specific services many run support groups.
- Cancer Chicks Australia: for young women including a Facebook group.
- Cancer Council national
- Cancer Council Connect: telephone peer support – the nurses will find a volunteer, with a similar experience, who you can talk to over the phone
- Online community
- Support group listings by state
- Telephone support groups: 1300 755 632
- Canteen (up to 25yo)
- Leukaemia Foundation
- Movember: Nuts & Bolts Guides: peer support for men with a testicular cancer diagnosis
- Scar Stories
- Youth Cancer Service (up to 25yo)
States
- Western Australia
- Solaris Cancer Care: run a variety of support groups including a young adults session.
- Connect Groups
- New South Wales
- Blue Mountains and Penrith Valley: Cancer Wellness Support
- Northern Beaches: Cancer Support Centre @ Seven Adventist Hospital
- Wollongong: Sisters Cancer Support for multicultural women
- Victoria
Digital Resources
- Cancer Culture: Australian podcast on Spotify and Apple
- The C Word Radio: podcast for cancery people, based in New Zealand
- Cactus Cancer Society (formerly Lacuna Loft): online support for young adult patients and caregivers around the world; based in California, USA
- The Cancer Patient Instagram account: it’s not one-on-one but it’s certainly full of relatable memes
- Shine Cancer Support UK:
- Young Adult Cancer Canada: ‘We Get It’ web series
- Young Tongues Global