Cancer Support Services

Celine Foenander08 January 2015

Multi-Disciplinary Care Team meetings

This is an integrated team approach to health care in which medical and allied health care professionals consider all relevant treatment and care options and develop, collaboratively, an individual treatment plan for each cancer patient presented to the meetings.

Supportive Care Screening

This provides us with an opportunity to identify the kinds of support and information which may be the most helpful for you and your family throughout the cancer journey.

Staff in the GCCC will ask you to complete this form at times throughout your treatment.

SC screening tool

Group programs

Cancer Care Nurses, chemotherapy and radiotherapy staff coordinate a number of group programs for patients and family members. You can expect to learn more about cancer and its treatment in a supportive group environment.

Having an open discussion and some sharing of experiences will help to understand you are not alone on your journey and improve understanding of your changed circumstances.

For people who have a diagnosis of cancer, their family and friends. It's a chance to learn more about cancer, its treatment and your emotional reactions to it.

Cancer Council Victoria Website - Support Services

Many people diagnosed with cancer now live a long time after treatment. The end of treatment may be a time when you realise the impact cancer had on you, your family and friends.

Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre Website

STEPS

A locally developed informative, comprehensive psychosocial program for women with cancer.

Look Good Feel Better Program

A one-day program helping women face cancer with confidence. Look Good…Feel Better Website

Chemotherapy

Celine Foenander08 January 2015

What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. There are many types of chemotherapy drugs, which are often used in different combinations and at different strengths.

Chemotherapy can be administered in a variety of ways. Most people have chemotherapy through a vein (intravenously). It can also be prescribed orally (tablets or capsules), as a cream, or as injections into different parts of the body.

Most people have chemotherapy on an outpatient basis during day visits to the hospital. Some people can have chemotherapy at home if they use a portable pump or have oral chemotherapy.

Radiotherapy

Celine Foenander08 January 2015

What is radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy uses radiation, such as x-rays, gamma rays, electron beams or protons to destroy or damage cancer cells and stop them from growing and multiplying.

It is a highly specialised service offered at the Gippsland Cancer Care Centre by Gippsland Radiation Oncology, a satellite service of Alfred Health in Melbourne.

Gippsland Radiation Oncology has two Linear Accelerators delivering the most up to date advancements in radiation therapy and cancer care.

It also features a dedicated superficial radiotherapy unit for skin cancer.

The service is fully funded by Medicare so there are no out-of-pocket expenses for you.

For further information contact Gippsland Radiation Oncology on 5173 8770 or go to Alfred Health Radiation Oncology