Cancer Help article

If cancer has impacted your life, you do not have to face it alone. Canteen provides free, confidential cancer help and support for young people aged 12 to 25 and their loved ones.

Whether you are dealing with your own diagnosis, a close family member’s cancer or the death of a loved one.

Canteen offers support to help you rebuild confidence, connection, and hope

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How we help

Cancer changes everything. It affects so many parts of life - how you feel, relationships, school, work and everyday routines. Canteen’s cancer help services are designed to support young people and families through these challenges.

Counselling and emotional support

Canteen provides professional counselling and support from qualified staff who understand the impact cancer can have on young people and families. Counselling can help with:

• Feeling anxious, stressed or overwhelmed
• Coping with change and uncertainty
• Grief, loss and sadness
• Family, friendships and communication

Having cancer in your life can really mess things up. We get it. Support is available online, by phone or in person, depending on location and individual needs.

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Peer support and connection

Connecting with other young people who have been impacted by cancer can help reduce feelings of isolation. Canteen’s events and programs provide some much-needed space away from the daily pressures of living with cancer allowing young people to:

• Meet others who understand their experiences
• Share stories in a safe and supportive environment
• Feel heard, accepted and understood
• Build confidence and coping skills.

Practical cancer help

Cancer treatment or caring for family members with cancer can cause significant disruptions to young people’s lives which in turn have potentially long-lasting impacts on their social and emotional wellbeing.  Canteen provides information and resources to help with:

• Managing school, study or work alongside cancer
• Understanding available support options
• Navigating changes at home and within families
• Accessing other cancer support services in Australia when needed

Who we support

Cancer affects everyone differently. That’s why Canteen provides a wide range of free cancer help services to help those impacted by cancer overcome the specific challenges they’re dealing with.

Young people

Canteen supports young people aged 12 to 25 who:

• Have been diagnosed with cancer
• Have a parent, carer or sibling with cancer
• Have experienced the death of a loved one due to cancer.

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Parents and carers

Research shows that when parents cope better with cancer and communicate openly, their children are likely to experience less distress and anxiety. In response, Canteen services now extend to parents and carers by providing practical tools, emotional support and more

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Health professionals

Health and education professionals play a vital role in supporting young people and families living with cancer. Canteen works alongside health professionals, educators and community organisations, providing specialist information and referral options to enable them to support their patients and students affected by cancer.

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Why choose Canteen for cancer help

• All services are free and confidential
• Specialist focus on young people and families impacted by cancer
• Support delivered by trained and qualified staff
• Services available across Australia
• Support offered online, by phone and in person.

Frequently asked questions