Amanda Hordern

Dr Amanda Hordern, PhD, has been the Director of the Cancer Information and Support Service (CISS) for Cancer Council Victoria since February 2010.

As the former Deputy Director, CISS, Dr Hordern brings more than 20 years of national and international experience across oncology and palliative care.

A passionate leader, Dr Hordern oversees a service committed to supporting Victorians facing a new diagnosis of cancer, living as a cancer survivors or facing recurrent and advanced disease.

The Cancer Information and Support Service provides individualised and evidence-based information, support and practical strategies to anyone affected by cancer. This service is also dedicated to helping people make well-informed decisions about all aspects of cancer care, including use of complementary and alternative medicines after cancer.

Dr Hordern's strategic vision for CISS is to 'be responsive and innovative in addressing the unmet supportive care needs to Victorian's affected by cancer'.  We aim to do this by linking people to trained volunteers who have 'been there and done that', providing up-to-date information, specialised support programs and health professional education and training.

"The key to achieving this is building and strengthening active partnerships with like-minded cancer clinicians, treatment centres and key health organisations, focusing on collaboration, avoiding duplication and ultimately, improving the cancer experience for all Victorian's affected by cancer," Dr Hordern said.

Dr Hordern is also committed to raising the profile of the CISS team, supporting them to maintain the high standard of supportive care delivered by CISS under the leadership of the previous director, Doreen Akkerman.

Dr Hordern said CISS is so much more than a Helpline - "it is an internationally renowned service where people can access evidence-based information and an extensive range of support services - all for the cost of a local call, or via our website."

The gateway to this service is the Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20, a confidential telephone service with access to thousands of resources, which is complemented and supported by a growing number of Cancer Council support programs for people affected by cancer.

"We set ourselves apart from other support services by providing post-graduate trained cancer nurses to staff the Helpline and by offering a unique peer support service for people affected by cancer in Victoria. Support and practical advice is tailored to individual needs and we are currently looking at ways to make the most of technology to extend our reach to people affected by cancer so they have the flexibility to choose how they access the information and support." See online support services.

"Our connection to the cancer community extends to the cancer clinicians and allied health professionals delivering treatment and care to people affected by cancer. The Cancer Council offers evidence-based information, education and training to health professionals to guide best practice in the management of cancer," Dr Hordern said.

Dr Hordern is Vice president of the International Cancer Information Service Group (ICISG) which is a worldwide network of more than 50 organisations that deliver cancer information.

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