Your generosity is ensuring more Victorians are receiving the cancer information and support they need. Together, we’re letting people know they are not alone.
“After the first phone call, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders,” said Rachel.
When Rachel, and many others before her, found themselves facing the overwhelming isolation that a cancer diagnosis can bring, she knew there was one place she could always turn to find people who understood what she was going through.
“With each phone call after that, I felt better and better, thinking: ‘Ok, I’m alright. I can do this,’” said Rachel who called 13 11 20 after being diagnosed with ductal carcinoma.
Trained cancer nurses are only a phone call away for any Victorian with cancer and their family. Experienced cancer nurses can talk about their concerns and guide people through what's next, so they know they’re not alone.
“I phoned Cancer Council Victoria and spoke to a lovely nurse there who sent me all the pamphlets and information,” said Drew, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a similar experience with the service.
The nurse put me in touch with two lovely ladies and we spoke about what they’d been through with surgery. That cleared my mind immediately. I thought ‘alright, I can see it now. I feel more comfortable and relaxed to go through the surgery,’” she said.
Access to the right support and services at the right time is something we want all Victorians affected by cancer to benefit from.
Janaya, Clinical Nurse Specialist with a cancer patient
Your support for this vital service allowed us to hire Janaya, a Clinical Nurse Specialist located in the Loddon Mallee region, providing regional Victorians with the local understanding and care they need to navigate their cancer diagnosis.
“I have a great interest in building relationships with patients and really like caring for them and making sure that in their journey, they feel well informed and supported,” said Janaya.
Janaya’s role involves visiting health services in regional Victoria to inform them about Cancer Council Victoria’s free cancer information and support services available to anyone affected by cancer. Dedicating time to providing emotional support to people affected by cancer is something Janaya finds most rewarding.
“That's probably the most powerful thing, especially on the phone, just listening and letting people talk about their problems. And you might not necessarily be able to fix things for them, but it's listening to their concerns and creating a space where people can speak about how they feel without fear of judgement,” she said
Clem, a cancer nurse, said one of the best things about 13 11 20 is that calls are not time restricted.
“If someone needs simple information, we can provide it quickly. But if they have lots of things they are dealing with, we can devote more time with them. We can slow down and prioritise what it is they need real help with,” he said.
"With them I cried and laughed. There was no judgement. They were an ear to listen to. They referred us to a financial counsellor to assist us with our bills and recommended that our children join some support groups. Finally, I felt like I could breathe,” said Melanie who cared for her husband Tim who was diagnosed with adeno carcinoma in 2018.
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Melanie with her children who received cancer support from 13 11 20
In 2023, we launched a campaign to increase awareness in our 13 11 20 cancer support service and remind people affected by cancer that they’re not alone. According to Janaya, this is a particularly important message for people living in regional and rural areas.
“The beauty of it is that the engagement is over the phone. So, if you have a phone, then you can have access to support.”
Your generosity has ensured that, in 2023, we were able to meet the growing demand for our support services, answering more than 13,820 calls from Victorians who reached out with questions or concerns about cancer.
When it comes to advice for anyone with a cancer diagnosis or their friends and family, Janaya says the first step is just to call.
“The 13 11 20 service is here for them and they’re not alone. They’re going to call the service and speak to an experienced cancer nurse who’s able to talk about their concerns and guide them through what’s next.”
Together, we’re letting people know they are not alone.
Contact cancer support
Talk to a cancer nurse and get the support you need. Available to anyone affected by cancer – those diagnosed, family, friends, and carers. Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.
Get support