Support services

Information—the Cancer Helpline
The Cancer Helpline is a telephone service of The Cancer Council NSW that offers information and support for people affected by cancer. It is a confidential service where you can talk about your concerns and needs with specially trained staff who can send you printed information and put you in touch with appropriate services in your own area.  The Cancer Council NSW has a large range of publications that cover breast and other cancers.
The Cancer Helpline can be contacted on 13 11 20, or toll free on 1800 422 760, Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm. The TTY number for deaf or hearing-impaired people is (02) 9334 1865. (See also ‘Multicultural services’)

Breast Cancer Support Service (BCSS)
The Breast Cancer Support Service (BCSS) is a telephone and visiting service of The Cancer Council NSW. It offers practical and emotional support to women and men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Support is based on confidential one-to-one contact between trained volunteers and people receiving treatment. For more information, contact the BCSS co-ordinator, a regional Cancer Council office or the Cancer Helpline on 13 11 20. Cancer Council co-ordinators can be found in Albury, Armidale, Bathurst, Bega, Broadmeadow (Newcastle/Hunter), Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Forbes, Gosford, Goulburn, Grafton, Griffith, Lismore, Moruya, Nowra, Orange, Parramatta (Western Sydney), Port Macquarie and Woolloomooloo (State & Metropolitan).

Counselling
Most services charge a fee but others work on a donation system. Check directly with each service. Most social workers offer counselling, so ask the social worker at your treatment centre. Most community health centres have a counselling team. For details of private counsellors, call the Cancer Helpline on 13 11 20.

Breast cancer support groups
About 90 breast cancer support groups operate throughout NSW. These groups offer the opportunity to meet other women who have been on the breast cancer journey. Some groups have been created specifically for young women, others for partners. Call 13 11 20 for details of groups in your area.

Financial assistance with travel and accommodation
The Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme  (IPTAAS) is designed to improve access to specialist medical treatment for people living in isolated and remote communities in NSW. It provides financial assistance for travel and accommodation expenses for people who have to travel 200 kilometres or more, one way, to obtain specialist medical treatment. To be eligible, you need to be referred by a GP or specialist. Contact your nearest IPTAAS office to confirm eligibility and entitlements before making travel arrangements. There are IPTAAS Offices at Albury, Bathurst, Broken Hill, Dubbo, Goulburn, Lismore, Queanbeyan and Tamworth. For more information, check the NSW Health website: www.health.nsw.gov.au.

Accommodation
Access to accommodation is important for people who need to travel to attend radiation therapy. Accommodation at or near treatment centres can be organised through social workers or the accommodation co-ordinator at your treatment centre. For further information, call the Cancer Helpline 13 11 20.

Multicultural services
The Multicultural Cancer Information Service (MCIS) is provided by The Cancer Council NSW for speakers of Arabic (1300 301 625), Cantonese & Mandarin (1300 300 935), Greek (1300 301 449) or Italian (1300 301 431). For other languages, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 13 14 50.

Prostheses
If you have had a mastectomy, you can be professionally fitted for an external prosthesis. External prostheses are weighted for your posture and balance. A wide range is available in various skin colours, designs and fillings. Some prostheses are filled with wool and others with silicone gel. Partial prostheses called ‘shell prostheses’ are available and may be suitable for some women who have had breast-conserving treatment. Special external prostheses suitable for inserting into your swimming costume are available. Call the Cancer Helpline 13 11 20 for Breast prosthesis and swimwear information 2002, which includes lists of NSW retail outlets with trained fitters.

The price of external protheses ranges from about $150 to $450. All NSW public hospitals cover part (at least $100) of the cost of the first prosthesis and some hospitals cover the full cost. Private hospital patients are not eligible for the hospital prosthesis subsidy. If you have private health insurance, check your entitlements with your health fund.

‘Look good, feel better’ program
Free skin care and make up advice for women undergoing chemotherapy. Products are donated by cosmetic and hair care companies and courses are run by volunteers with professional experience. Call 1800 650 960.

Encore
The YWCA Encore program is for women of any age, who have had breast cancer surgery at any time in their lives. Encore is a specifically designed floor and pool-based exercise program for such women. It is provided in a supportive, non-medical environment. Call 1800 305 150.

Wigs
Some hospitals, cancer organisations and cancer care units have wig libraries. If you lose your hair during treatment, you can borrow a wig or turban while it is growing back. Most wigs and turbans are offered free of charge or for a small fee. Ask your treating hospital or phone the Cancer Helpline 13 11 20. Some private health funds cover part of the cost of purchasing wigs.

Care at home
Home care or domiciliary care services can provide practical help in your home. These services are provided by Housing and Community Care; call your local council for information. Services such as Meals-on-wheels and private nursing are also available.

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