New support has been launched for people with blood or bone marrow cancer.
The service expands Cancer Connect, a Cancer Council telephone support program which enables people to speak to a trained volunteer who has been through a similar experience.
The new support for blood or bone marrow cancer patients has been developed in partnership with the Leukaemia Foundation, Bone Marrow Donor Institute and Myeloma Foundation of Australia.
Cancer Council Helpline Director, Doreen Akkerman AM said this new service would enable more specialised support for people diagnosed with this disease.
"The expansion of Cancer Connect to include telephone support for people with blood or bone marrow cancer with greatly benefit the psychological well-being of blood disorder and bone marrow cancer patients," Ms Akkerman said.
"Offering specialised support from someone who understands the experience can help people feel less isolated and better able to adjust to their situation."
Leukaemia Foundation General Manager, Stephanie Hechenberger said blood cancer patients and bone marrow transplant recipients had a unique set of support needs.
"Patients are coping with intensive and lengthy treatment regimes as well as complex side effects," Ms Hechenberger said.
"Having access to ongoing peer support will be of immeasurable value to people diagnosed with blood cancer and bone marrow transplant recipients."
Ms Akkerman also announced that the Cancer Connect telephone support program would expand to include support for cancer survivors.
"Research, better treatments and early detection programs have seen cancer survival rates rise in recent years so the need for individualised support is greater than ever," Ms Akkerman said.
"Cancer Connect has been in operation at the Cancer Council for 8 years and is a service that has put almost 5000 people affected by cancer in touch with someone who has been through a similar experience."
Ms Akkerman encourages patients in need of support to speak to a Cancer Connect volunteer.
"The overwhelming response we hear from people is ‘my volunteer made me feel I wasn't alone'", Ms Akkerman said.
"Call 13 11 20 to speak to a Cancer Connect volunteer today."
