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Melbourne Peer Support Hub
Level 8, 255 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Open 10am – 5pm Mon, Wed, Thurs
(closed public holidays)

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1300 781 500
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[email protected]

Melbourne Peer Support Hub
Level 8, 255 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Open 10am – 5pm Mon, Wed, Thurs
(closed public holidays)

Supporting all women with cancer from July

For almost 20 years, we have provided connection, support and information to women with breast or a gynaecological cancer. We are looking forward to extending our services to other women with cancer. In July, Counterpart will be welcoming Victorian women with any type of cancer to talk with a Peer Support Volunteer or attend an event.

Get support

From 1 July, Peer Support Volunteers will be available to support you, listen and share. Women who have experienced the physical, emotional and social impacts of a cancer diagnosis and treatment can provide support that others cannot. Our current volunteers all have their own experience of cancer and are trained to support other women affected by cancer. Request a call from a Counterpart Peer Support Volunteer.

Come to an event

Our May to August program includes webinars and online workshops on a range of different topics. Some are information-based and others include activities to help you look after your own wellbeing. Our What’s On program is open to all women with cancer. Our Making Connections program is specifically for women with advanced/metastatic cancer. See all upcoming Counterpart events.

Become a volunteer

Women with any type of cancer can apply to join our new intake of Peer Support Volunteers. It is an exciting opportunity to be part of the first intake open to all women with cancer. Applications close 12 August 2022.

Other ways to get involved

If you are a woman who has had a cancer diagnosis we would love to hear from you. Our service was created through the advocacy of women with cancer and consumer participation is essential to our ongoing development. We are looking for consumers to:

  • join the Expansion Project Advisory Group to guide our service expansion
  • assist with training our staff and volunteers by speaking about their experiences or joining a working group to review and revise the Peer Support Volunteer training program
  • share their feedback and ideas about how we can publicise our service through their networks
  • review our communication, marketing and other documents.

If you are interested in helping us extend our service to all women with cancer, please get in touch with our Expansion Project Coordinator Jan Savage ([email protected]).

What’s new – April 2022

Links to support, information and other items from the cancer sector.

New webinar: Maintaining habits of healthy living

In this new Counterpart webinar, presenter Dr Amanda Horden discusses strategies to create all kinds of habits of healthy living, including exercise, to keep up motivation and manage any barriers you might experience.

Visit our webinar recordings page to watch informative webinars on a range of different topics relevent to women with cancer.

Patient Advisory Committee – share your insights

VCCC Alliance: Overcoming cancer together (logo and tagline)

Have your say on the development of a new national project that will help shape the future of cancer research in Australia.

The VCCC Alliance are seeking applications from people who have experienced cancer to form a national Patient Advisory Committee (PAC). You’ll be part of a small committee formed initially to provide crucial input at a pivotal point in the development of a new national Patient-Partnered Cancer Research Program with international scope. Later (pending finalisation of project funding), the PAC will act as a key advisory body during project implementation.

They want to hear from people who are already active cancer consumer advocates. Equally, they are seeking perspectives from many areas of life and community – young adults with cancer, people just beginning treatment, the LGBTIQ+ community, migrant families, people with Health Care Cards, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from the bush and all over Australia. 

Find out more about the Patient Advisory Committee

A COVID-19 prevention trial for cancer patients

C-SMART logo

Studies have shown that people with cancer are more likely to develop severe respiratory infections such as COVID-19 and the flu and need admission more often to the ICU than people without cancer. It is now recommended that immunosupressed people, such as those with cancer, receive a third booster shot of the COVID vaccine because they are particularly vulnerable to severe infection.

Researchers from Austin Health are investigating if a low dose of the drug Interferon-alpha (delivered as a daily nasal spray) can also help to prevent COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections in cancer patients.

Anyone with a past or current cancer diagnosis is eligible. Download a brochure about the COVID-19 prevention trial for cancer patients or visit the C-SMART website.

Encore – exercise program for women with breast cancer

YWCA Australia’s ‘Encore’ is returning to Victoria with 3 programs starting soon. This free award-winning exercise program is for women who have experienced breast cancer or preventative mastectomy. It is an 8-week program of land and pool-based exercises, healthy lifestyle information, and support.

Download a brochure about Encore.

Encore has been operating in Australia for over 30 years and has helped thousands of women improve strength, mobility, and fitness after breast cancer treatment. In addition to physical benefits, the program is designed to increases social connections and many participants go on to form long-lasting friendships with women they meet during the program. 

Box Hill Exercise Program: 3 May 2022 to 21 Jun 2022, every Tuesday from 6pm–8pm.

Ballarat Exercise Program: 5 May 2022 to 23 Jun 2022, every Thursday from 1pm–3pm.

Bayside/Kingston Exercise Program: 6 May 2022 to 24 Jun 2022, every Friday from 6:30pm–8:30pm.

For more information or to register, visit www.ywcaencore.org.au/programs  

WEHI recruiting volunteers for their Buddy Program

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research are seeking volunteers to join their Consumer Buddy Program.

Volunteers in the program work directly with a researcher to assist them in communicating their science in plain language to the community.

Download a flyer about the Consumer Buddy Program.

Cancer Experience Survey – how technology helped you

Researchers at the University of Sydney want to know how technologies (websites, emails, text messages, apps) can help you during and after cancer treatment.

They are looking for people diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer within the last 10 years to complete a survey with questions about the information you wished you knew during or after treatment, and preferred technologies to receive health information.

Download a flyer about the Cancer Experience Survey or go to the Sydney University website for more information or to complete the Cancer Experience Survey.

Survey on new guidelines for POI/menopause after cancer treatment

Women may develop premature menopause as a result of cancer treatment.  If you have been diagnosed with POI (menopause or loss of ovarian function occurring before the age of 40 years), then you are invited to share your opinions in a survey.

This survey will inform the update of an international POI guideline. The survey will research the content, resources and tools for the new guideline.

Download a flyer about the International POI guideline update survey or go to the Monash University website for more information or to fill out the International POI guideline update survey.

Research participants needed: service providers working with Vietnamese women

Service providers who have supported Vietnamese migrant women experiencing family violence in Australia are invited to take part in a research project. Participation will involve an interview exploring your professional experiences supporting Vietnamese migrant women who have navigated family violence.

Download a flyer about the Experiences of family violence among Vietnamese women on partner visas project.

Lymphoedema: what you need to know

March is Lymphoedema Awareness Month

Lymphoedema is a side effect of cancer treatment that affects around one in 5 women with breast or a gynaecological cancer. (Cancer Australia, 2022)

If you have experienced one of these cancers, it is important to know the risk factors, know the symptoms and know where to seek help.

What is lymphoedema?

The lymphatic system runs throughout our body and supports our immune system. A clear fluid called lymph carries nutrients and immune cells to all our cells and takes away waste. Lymph drains through small tubes that are similar to blood vessels and glands called lymph nodes, which helps filter the fluid before it returns to the blood stream.

When the lymphatic system doesn’t work properly, fluid can build up causing parts of our body to swell. In secondary lymphoedema, this happens because the lymphatic system has been damaged or blocked. This can be caused by cancer treatments, including surgery and radiotherapy. (Healthdirect, 2021)

Lymphoedema – signs and symptoms

Early warning signs of lymphoedema include: * swelling, especially at night * recurrent cellulitis * area feels heavy or stiff

Diagnosing lymphoedema early gives you the best chance of avoiding it developing into a severe form. According to the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA), early warning signs can include:

  • Swelling of a limb or other area. This may come or go, and can be made worse by overuse, staying in one position too long, tight clothing. It may be more obvious by the end of the day.
  • Recurrent cellulitis (an infection of the skin)
  • Feeling heavy or stiff in the affected body part
  • Not being able to move the affected body part as much as before.

If you notice any of these signs, talk to your healthcare provider.

Getting help

An Accredited Lymphoedema Practitioner is a health professional who has shown that they have the knowledge and skills to provide the best advice and care to people affected by lymphoedema. You can find an Accredited Lymphoedema Practitioner on the ALA website.

A practitioner can help you to manage your lymphoedema. They will be able to provide you with advice about:

  • caring for you skin
  • exercises
  • manual lymphatic drainage (if needed)
  • compression garments (if advised)

If you talk to your GP about getting a Management Plan, you can be referred to an Accredited Lymphoedema Practitioner and may be eligible for Medicare rebates for up to five sessions. You can also ask your oncology team about what services are available.

More information

Australasian Lymphology Association website

Webinar recording: Self care for lymphoedema (recorded 9 March 22)

Webinar recording: Lymphoedema (recorded 2 March 21)

Ovarian cancer Navigator: lymphoedema

Breast cancer Navigator: lymphoedema

What’s new – March 2022

Links to support, information and other items from the cancer sector.

New webinars available now

Stylised graphic of a laptop with the slide of a lymphoedema presentation on the screen. A large orange circle with a white triangular play button sits over the top.We have published a number of new webinars which can be watched on our website. These include webinars held in recent weeks as well as ones held while our website was being updated in the second half of 2021.

Counterpart are very lucky to have knowledgeable, qualified professionals presenting these webinars. We think they will be helpful to many women, especially as you can watch them whenever suits you. New topics include:

  • lymphoedema
  • endometrial cancer
  • genetics and cancer
  • sleep
  • gut microbiome.

Browse webinar recordings.

Managing your cancer care in the context of Covid-19

Photo of a positive Rapid Antigen Test lying on a sheet of paper with the nasal swab and packaging next to it. (Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash)With many people in our communities catching Covid-19, Cancer Australia have put together information for people affected by cancer.

This includes information on making decisions about your treatment and care if you test positive for the virus. It also gives information on how you can protect yourself against Covid-19.

Get Covid-19 information on the Cancer Australia website.

A guide to optimal cancer nutrition

Graphic from an animation explaining the CanEAT pathway, showing three people sitting around a round table with a variety of foods on it.

The CanEAT pathway is a guide to optimal cancer nutrition. It has been produced by Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre for people with cancer, carers and health professionals.

The pathway is easy to use and links you with reliable nutrition and cancer information, resources and tools. These include websites, fact sheets, booklets, podcasts, self-management strategies and other practical information.

Visit the CanEAT pathway on the Peter Mac website.

Study: benefits of exercise after gynaecological cancer treatment

Researchers at the University of Queensland are looking for women who have undergone treatment for gynaecological cancer, to take part in an exercise intervention. This study will help them determine if exercise has a positive effect on recovery following treatment.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

As part of this study, you will either undertake a 12-week exercise training program supervised by an accredited exercise physiologist or receive guidelines on undertaking exercise following cancer.

WHY SHOULD I PARTICIPATE?

Your experiences about your health, wellbeing and coping with everyday life after treatment will help build better outcomes in the lives of women diagnosed in the future. All participants will receive a free FitBit© Smart watch.

If you are over 18 years and have completed treatment for gynaecological cancer within the last five years, the researches would like to hear from you.

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

Fill out a short online form to register your interest. Contact the ACUMEN research team on [email protected] or phone +61 7 3346 6788 if you have any questions.

What’s new – February 2022

Links to support, information and other items from the cancer sector.

Participants wanted for focus groups of older women, body image and the internet

blurred faces on a laptop screenAre you a woman, transwoman or gender diverse person presumed female at birth aged 50 and over? Would you like to provide feedback to guide the design and content of a proposed new website about body image?

Women’s Health Victoria would love to hear your thoughts. We are seeking around 30 women, transwomen and gender diverse people presumed female at birth from a range of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, with diverse body shapes and abilities, and varied sexualities for one-off online focus groups.

Please feel free to share with your networks!

Duration: one hour

Reimbursement: $50 gift voucher

Format: online, with experienced facilitator Mary Macheras-Magias

Interested? To find out more, please contact Kate Johnston-Ataata via email ([email protected]) or phone (03 9664 9302) by Wednesday 10 March 2022.

New ovarian cancer research factsheet

The latest in Ovarian Cancer research and clinical trials. Photograph and quote from Prof Clare Scott. Ovarian Cancer Australia's logo at the bottom of the image.This Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Ovarian Cancer Australia have released a new factsheet with the latest in ovarian cancer research and clinical trials.

The factsheet provides an overview of worldwide research into risk factors, prevention, screening (early detection), new treatments and psychosocial research. It also provides links to further information and support.

Browse Ovarian Cancer Australia’s factsheets.

Carers Couch: support for carers

Carers Couch logo - stylised graphic of a white couch on a pink diamond shape. Carers Couch have launched a brand new website making it easier for people caring for people affected by cancer to access support and information. 

Carers Couch supports unpaid carers to make caring more manageable. Whatever you need, they can guide and connect you to services, solutions and emotional or community support.

Visit the Carers Couch website.

Research project: breast screening for older women

La Trobe University and Deakin University logosResearchers at La Trobe University and Deakin University are looking for women over 75 years to help them understand breast cancer screening motivations and behaviours of Australian women.

You are invited to participate if you are over 75 years old and fit into one of the following categories:

1. Accessing the BreastScreen Australia program.

2. Accessing non-BreastScreen, private breast cancer screening (e.g. at a GP).

3. Not participating in breast cancer screening.

To participate, you can choose to do a one-hour interview (online via Zoom, or over the phone) OR take part in a focus group (online via Zoom). The researchers will audio record the interview (with your permission). They will ask a series of questions and will invite you to tell them about your experiences of breast cancer screening.

You will be offered a $50 Coles Myer voucher for your participation and may be reimbursed for any reasonable travel, parking or other associated costs.

If you would like more information or are interested in being part of the study, please contact:
Name: Dr. Virginia Dickson-Swift, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University Bendigo
Email: [email protected]

Phone: 03 5444 7852 (leave a message and Virginia will call you to arrange an interview or answer any questions you might have)

Ethics Approval Number HEC 21249

New Help Literacy Hub

Gather my Crew logo. Helping people, help people.The Gather My Crew app is a tool to coordinate help from friends and family when you are ill.

Asking for help when you need it can be hard. It can also be hard to know how to offer help. For this reason, Gather My Crew have launched a new Help Literacy hub. The hub has a range of resources to give you support and guidance when giving and receiving help.

Visit the Help Literacy Hub.

New support group for women with metastatic breast cancer

Thursday Girls logo (white writing on a pink ribbon). Advanced Breast Cancer Therapy and Support Groups.The Thursday Girls have extended their reach of the group to all women living with metastatic breast cancer in Victoria.

For more information on their free, professionally-led weekly therapeutic group meetings on Zoom:

Call Marg on 9894 4942 or Sue on 0414 272 706, or

Email [email protected]

Visit the Thursday Girls website.

The latest What’s new – January 2022

What’s new – January 2022

Links to support, information and other items from the cancer sector.

Online support for your mental health

Cancer Mind Care - 'Take the time to support your mind' - with an illustration of a rollercoaster.To help address the rising demand for mental-wellbeing services and ensure individuals in need receive timely support and advice, Peter McCallum Cancer Centre and the Victorian Integrated Cancer Services have partnered together to develop Cancer Mind Care.  

Cancer Mind Care is a free, self-help online platform offering tailored mental health support for people with cancer, their support persons, clinicians and First Nations peoples.  

National gynae-oncology registry

NGOR (logo)

The National Gynae-Oncology Registry (NGOR) monitors the quality of care provided to Australian women diagnosed with gynaecological cancers. By identifying variation in treatments and patient outcomes, the registry can help improve the quality of care for women diagnosed in future.

If you have been recently diagnosed with one of the cancers currently included in the registry and your care was provided by a participating clinician, you will have been given information about NGOR and the opportunity to opt-out. If your care was through another hospital, you can express your interest in the registry and help to get more clinicians engaged.

Visit the NGOR website for more information about the cancers included and participating clinicians and hospitals.

10 year Australian Cancer Plan – closes 18 February 2022

Speech bubble graphic: 'Have your SAY!'Have your say on the Australian Cancer Plan 2023–2033.

Cancer Australia are seeking ideas for a new plan which will guide the way cancer care is provided in Australia.

Your ideas will be added to those shared by people who attended Ministerial Roundtable about the Australian Cancer Plan held in April 2021. Your ideas will help shape the focus and directions of the Australian Cancer Plan.

Help Cancer Australia set a transformative agenda to accelerate world class cancer outcomes and experience for all Australians. 

Complete the Vision for the Australian Cancer Plan survey

Local end of life services and advice

Three photos of people of different ages and backgrounds.

Lately is a website that provides information, options and education about end-of-life care and choices. It is designed to foster communication and planning for people who have received a terminal diagnosis, and for those who love and care for them. 

With input from experts on the physical, mental and cultural impacts of ageing and death, Lately helps patients, friends, family and carers to create care plans, and understand the social, religious and secular beliefs that influence how each person wishes to be cared for in their final days.

The website was created by North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network, in collaboration with digital design agency Portable. 

Visit Lately

Understanding caregiver health literacy

Deakin University logoWhat is the study about? 

This research aims to better understand caregivers’ needs and challenges to find, understand, appraise and apply information to make health decisions and how this impacts health and wellbeing in patient and caregiver pairs. 

 What is involved?  

The person with cancer AND their caregiver are asked to complete a survey about their experiences with health information, and managing health and wellbeing. The survey will be available either electronically online, or via a paper copy that can be mailed to you with a reply-paid envelope. The survey will take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete 

Who can participate?  

  • People diagnosed with breast, lung, genitourinary, OR gastrointestinal cancer, AND who received their diagnosis in the PAST 2 YEARS, AND  
  • A family member or friend who provides support to the person with cancer  
  • Both are aged 18+ years 

How can people participate:  

Free Cancer Wellness Program webinar

Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre

The Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre (ACSC), based at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac), in partnership with Cancer Council Victoria (CCV) will present a free virtual Cancer Wellness Program on Friday 18 February, 11am–12.30pm.

The Cancer Wellness Program is a free education and support program for people who have completed cancer treatment and are living with and beyond cancer. It is also for carers, partners and family members.  Cancer specialists will present the following topics that will include practical tips and strategies for living well with and beyond cancer.

Topics will include:

  • Survivor story – Meg Rynderman OAM
  • Nutrition for cancer survivors – Lin Chai
  • Complementary therapies – Amy Leeder
  • Relaxation and mindfulness – Christine Maingard

Visit the Peter Mac website to register for this free event.

Season’s greetings

The team at Counterpart wishes you a safe and happy festive season.

The Counterpart Resource Centre will be closed from 5pm Thursday 16 December 2021 and will reopen on Monday 17 January 2021. This is to give our Peer Support Volunteers an opportunity to rest and recharge.

While it can be an exciting time of the year, we know the festive season can cause stress too. Although we will be closing, we will be providing limited support until 23 December, and then from 4 January to 13 January.  For this support you can phone The Resource Centre on 1300 781 500 or send us an email at [email protected]

You can also ring the Cancer Council’s Helpline on 13 11 20 if you would like to speak to someone. The Helpline operates over the entire period, except public holidays.

We hope that the New Year is a time of hope and optimism for us all, particularly after yet another challenging year.

Please also find below a Christmas message from everyone at Women’s Health Victoria.

Kind regards,
Counterpart staff and volunteers

Counterpart Year in Review 2020–2021

The Counterpart Year in Review 2020–2021 was launched at the Women’s Health Victoria Annual General Meeting on 25 October 2021.

The Year in Review shares our achievements over the past year. We have continued to connect, support and inform women affected by breast or a gynaecological cancer across Victoria. Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, we operated the Counterpart Resource Centre remotely for much of the year, with Peer Support Volunteers making calls from their own homes. We also expanded our program of online events to ensure that women could continue to access support and information, even throughout lockdowns.

We also include women’s stories to show some of the ways women affected by cancer benefit from Counterpart’s programs, highlight our partnerships with health professionals and share volunteer experiences.

Download the Counterpart Year in Review 2020–2021 (PDF).

Or read the Counterpart Year in Review 2020–2021 flipbook version in a new window.

You can also read about Counterpart’s work, along with the work of other Women’s Health Victoria programs and services in the Women’s Health Victoria Annual Report 2020-2021 (link to whv.org.au).

New events program available now

Free online events for women with breast or a gynaecological cancer.

Our latest What’s On and Making Connections event programs are available now. Due to ongoing social distancing and COVID-19 restrictions our events will remain online.

We have a range of interesting topics in this program from webinars such as Endometrial cancer and Healthy eating after cancer to workshops on Dru yoga and Mindfulness and emotions. As part of our Making Connections program for women affected by metastatic/advanced cancer we have sessions on Trial using medicinal cannabis for bone metastases and Worrying about loved ones.

To see all events available and to register visit our events page.

You can also download print versions of the programs

What’s On program

Making Connections program

 

 

Celebrating National Volunteer Week 2021

Recognise, reconnect, reimagine – This year’s theme for National Volunteer Week.

We feel very fortunate to have held an in-person morning tea at Mr Tulk Café at the State Library on Tuesday 18 May to celebrate the work of our volunteers over the past year.

 

Recognise.

We heard some inspiring words from Dianne Hill, CEO Women’s Health Victoria,  Kellie Holland Acting Manager at Counterpart and Women’s Health Victoria Board members Liz Dax and Candy Broad.

                                    

 

Reconnect.

It was so heart-warming to see everyone smiling and reconnecting again after a year of distance due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Morning tea

 

Reimagine.

Reimagining requires openness and flexibility and our volunteers have demonstrated this. Our challenge is to continue reimagining how we provide support in a Covid world.

sign and flowers

 

Join the volunteer team.

Volunteers are the heart and soul of our organisation. We feel very fortunate to have each and every one of them as part of our team. If you would like the opportunity to join them please take a look at at criteria and consider applying. 

 

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