Information for women with advanced/metastatic cancer

leaflets and books about advanced cancer

It can sometimes feel overwhelming searching for cancer information. There’s so much out there and it can be difficult to tell what is relevant and trustworthy.

Here are some resources that may be helpful for you, as a woman with advanced/metastatic cancer.

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us and we can help.

Webinars

Most Counterpart webinars are recorded, so you can watch them later. Those from our Making Connections program are just for women living with advanced/metastatic cancer.

 

Counterpart Navigator

The Counterpart Navigator points you to trusted information for women with breast cancer or a gynaecological cancer.

  • The 6 gynaecological cancer Navigators include information for women with advanced/metastatic cancer.
  • We are now seeking funding to expand our breast cancer Navigator to include information on advanced/metastatic cancer. Until then, scroll through the useful links below.

 

Our Resource Centre

Other useful links

Browse below for links to cancer information, support and clinical trials.

Information and support

All cancers

Cancer Council Victoria – Advanced cancer
Information and links to support for people living with advanced/metastatic cancer. (website)

Living with advanced cancer: a guide for people with cancer, their family and friends [PDF: 467KB]
Cancer Council Australia, 2022 (booklet)

CanTeen
Wide range of information and support services for young people (12-25 years) who have cancer themselves, or who have a parent with cancer. (web and support group)

CareSearch
Reliable information on palliative care, for Australian patients, families, carers and health professionals.

Palliative Care Victoria
Search the service directory to find support.

Voluntary Assisted Dying overview
Department of Health, Victoria. Links to fact sheets in English, Easy English and 17 community languages.

Live the life you please – stories
Personal story videos of palliative care experiences of patients, caregivers and loved ones.

The thing about advanced cancer
In this Cancer Council podcast, Julie McCrossin asks experts important questions about advanced/metastatic cancer.

Breast cancer

Advanced Breast Cancer Group
Although this group focuses on supporting women in Queensland, they have a number of useful online resources for women living with advanced breast cancer, including these videos and workshop videos listed under 'Resources'.

Beyond Pink: Metastatic (Advanced) Breast Cancer Support group
Support, information and resources for anyone living with metastatic/advanced breast cancer in the Geelong/Bellarine area. (web and support group)

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) – metastatic breast cancer
BCNA provide information resources for all stages of breast cancer, including the online Hope & Hurdles for women living with metastatic breast cancer. (web)

‘Cuppa and Chat’ – support group for women with metastatic breast cancer
Available to women with a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer on the Mornington Peninsula and surrounding areas. Meet fortnightly in a safe and nurturing environment. Find out when the next meeting is by calling Jenny Macindoe, McGrath Metastatic Breast Care Nurse, 03 9788 1754 or emailing [email protected]
(support group)

Influencing best practice in metastatic breast cancer
Cancer Australia, 2019
Prolonged survival, effective management of symptoms and the best possible quality of life are the goals of The Cancer Australia Statement – Influencing best practice in metastatic breast cancer, which lists 10 appropriate and inappropriate practices as priority areas in metastatic breast cancer treatment and care.  (Statement summary)

Signpost
Information and support for people with metastatic breast cancer in Australia. (resource card and website)

Think Pink
As part of a range of services for people affected by breast cancer, Think Pink runs Second Hope, an informal support group for women living with metastatic cancer, that meets twice a month. (support group)

Thursday Girls
Thursday Girls comprises a warm, supportive and inclusive community of women who are living with advanced breast cancer, and their partners. This cancer is incurable, but due to ongoing improvement in treatment options, many women are able to live satisfying, productive lives for many years.

The Thursday Girls free program includes two weekly therapeutic support groups for women, and a similar twice-monthly group for their partners.

The groups have three main functions: to share information, create meaningful relationships with people in similar situations and get in touch with difficult feelings and thoughts, dilemmas and challenges.

One group meets face to face in Box Hill, a suburb in Melbourne’s east. This is a hybrid group, with a Zoom option for women who may be unwell or away.

There is also a group that is only on Zoom. This enables women who live in other parts of Victoria to join remotely.

Please visit their website www.thursdaygirls.org or email [email protected] for more information.

Support for Women with Advanced Breast Cancer 
A private Facebook group run by and for Australian women with advanced breast cancer. To provide a safe space for women to share, it is a closed group so applications need to be approved by group moderators. (web and support group)

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian Cancer Australia
Ovarian Cancer Australia is the peak representative organisation for ovarian cancer in Australia. They represent the needs of the ovarian cancer community, including women living with advanced/metastatic cancer, and their programs are focused on promoting awareness, advocacy, support and information.  (web and support group)

Clinical trials

People who take part in clinical trials can help contribute to medical research, while perhaps getting access to medications that aren’t yet widely available. There’s a lot to understand, so read the resources below and speak to your treating team if you are thinking of getting involved in a clinical trial.

About clinical trials

Clinical trials
Cancer Council Victoria
This web page gives a brief overview of clinical trials, why someone might want to take part and dispels some myths. Scroll down the page for links to Victorian Cancer Trials Link where you can search for a suitable trial, the booklet, ‘Understanding clinical trials and research’, and Trial Connect where individuals can connect with a person who has participated in a clinical trial.

Clinical trials for women with advanced/metastatic cancer (Counterpart webinar, March 2021)
Hear from Medical Oncologist Shirley Wong about some of the issues to take into consideration when deciding whether to participate in a trial. These include eligibility criteria, potential risks, consequences for later treatment options, different phases of trials, time and frequency of regular testing.

How clinical trials work
Australia. National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (AUS, 2015)
This is a clear explanation of a complex topic. It explains the rules and processes of a clinical trial that must be followed to make sure they are as safe as possible and the results are meaningful. Menu on the left links to ‘Who can be a part of a clinical trial?’.

Understanding clinical trials and research
Cancer Council Australia (AUS, 2022)
Information to help you make an informed decision about taking part in a trial. Explains the types of research, how to get involved, and practical issues. (booklet – PDF or hard copy)

Find a clinical trial

Australian Cancer Trials
An Australian Government website with information about the latest clinical trials in cancer care, including trials that are currently recruiting new participants.

Australian Clinical Trials
A joint initiative between the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science providing information and resources about clinical trials.

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry
The ANZCTR is an online registry of clinical trials being undertaken in Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere.

Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group – clinical trials
Find gynaecological cancer clinical trials currently recruiting participants.

Breast Cancer Trials
Find metastatic breast cancer clinical trials currently recruiting participants. The site also includes prevention and early breast cancer categories.

Victorian Cancer Trials Link
Cancer Council Victoria resource helping Victorians with cancer to find new treatment options.