The Living With Cancer Education Program is for people with cancer, as well as their family and friends.

The program is auspiced by the Cancer Council Victoria.

What is the Living with Cancer Education Program?

The program provides information and the opportunity to develop skills to enhance quality of life. The emphasis is on participants interacting and sharing with each other. The program is designed to suit both men and women with different types of cancer, ranging from newly diagnosed to recurrent. Guest speakers are experts in their field.

The program is:

• Run in small groups
• For different cultures and languages
• Held in a relaxed, informal setting

The benefits of the Living with Cancer Education Program:

• Increased knowledge and understanding of cancer treatments
• Discussion in a supportive group
• Sharing of experiences
• Decreased feelings of aloneness
• Enhanced coping skills
• Improved understanding of changed circumstances

Topics covered in the program include:

• What is cancer?
• Cancer treatments and myths
• Proven and unproven treatments
• The doctor - patient relationship
• Personal experiences and emotions
• Communicating with family and others
• Relationships and self-esteem
• Healthy eating
• Relaxation techniques
• Loss and grief
• Coping day-to-day
• Community resources

You are welcome to join as an individual or with a support person.

If you are having treatment at Austin Health or you are a local resident in the Heidelberg (Victoria) area and would like to attend a Living with Cancer Education Program at Austin Health, telephone the Wellness Program Coordinator on 03 9496 3799.

To join a Living with Cancer Education Program closer to your home, or to find out more, contact: Cancer Helpline: 13 11 20 or visit the Cancer Council Victoria website. 

Participants' feedback on the program:

“The program enlightened my views and brought the 'living' back into my life."

"The array of different guest speakers who answered our questions was great."

"The program helped me to know where and how to seek information about cancer."

"Being able to communicate in my own language gave me great satisfaction."