COVID-19 Resources
Find resources about coronavirus (COVID-19) that Canteen and the Youth Cancer Services (YCS) have developed as well as useful information from across our YCS network and beyond. It is by no means comprehensive, but a compilation of resources for health professionals who work in cancer care and their patients.
We will continue to update these resources. If you have suggested resources to add, please email them to Iris Bolstad.
(Updated 28 April 2020)
Canteen services are continuing and will be offered online by video-link or phone until at least the end of June. Canteen has a strong track record of providing support services online and is well placed to continue supporting young people impacted by cancer and their families.
Canteen Connect
An online community for young people aged 12-25 dealing with their own or a close family member’s cancer. It helps young people by connecting them 24/7 with others their age who truly understand what they’re dealing with through discussions, direct messaging and blogs. Young people get support from their peers and Canteen’s specialist counsellors on a broad range of topics from school and exam stress to family relationships and the additional anxiety COVID-19 is creating. Online counselling is available seven days a week, including evenings.
Canteen Connect for Parents
An online support service for parents impacted by cancer. Created by parents specifically for parents dealing with a cancer diagnosis in their family, people can share experiences through blogs and posts, connect with other parents in the same boat, and talk to our team of highly trained counsellors if they need extra support. There are also a host of evidence-based resources about parenting and cancer.
The Australian government is providing regular updates on COVID-19.
The Australian Government has put together a repository of published research articles from reputable national and international publications, peer-reviewed journals and other trusted sources regarding COVID-19.
The Medical Journal of Australia recently published clinical guidance “Managing haematology and oncology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: Interim consensus guidance” (Medical Journal of Australia, 20 March 2020).
The Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group has developed a Patient-Carer Info Sheet in collaboration with Canteen, Cancer Council and other charities in Australia.
The Australian & New Zealand Children’s Haematology/Oncology Group has uploaded two FAQs documents for children and young people undergoing cancer treatment.
COVID-19 Guidance: 25 March Update
COVID-19 Guidance 18 March Update
The Cancer Nurses Society of Australia has provided resources on COVID-19 for members and the nursing profession.
Cancer Nurses Society of Australia
Cancer Australia has released an ‘Information about cancer and COVID-19’ website hub, providing advice and information for Australians affected by cancer
Rare Cancers Australia has provided answers to commonly asked questions for members of the community who have cancer and may be on treatment.
Information from Australian Psychological Society on how to deal with isolation and anxiety during these uncertain times:
Cancer Australia has launched a dedicated hub providing COVID-19 information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with cancer.
Access Cancer and COVID-19 – What it means for our Mob
Cancer Council has provided some frequently asked questions regarding COVID-19.
Access Cancer Council COVID-19 FAQs
The Australian Clinical Trials Alliance has provided resources on COVID-19 for the clinical trial sector.
Check out “COVID-19 and Cancer in Victoria: A coordinated clinical response,” a webinar from The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre.
Check out “A New Paradigm: Keeping Patients Safe from Huge Competing Risks of Death” from The Oncology Podcast featuring Professor Eva Segelov, Director of Oncology at Monash Health.
Dr Russ Harris is an internationally acclaimed acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) trainer and author. ‘FACE COVID’ by Russ is a set of practical steps for responding effectively to the Corona crisis, using the principles of ACT.
This free app includes resources, tools, strategies for managing stress and anxiety (amongst many other things). Below is a message from Dr Russ Harris:
“We have decided to make our app, ACT Companion: The Happiness Trap App, available free of charge for the next few months, as a resource for folks who are having a hard time at the moment as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Download the app from the Apple app store or Google play store and then enter the code TOGETHER on the subscription page to unlock all the app content for three months. The code is valid until the end of June. Please feel free to share this code with all your colleagues, clients, family, friends or anyone you think would benefit.”
- World Health Organization
- King’s Critical Care London
- The British Society for Haematology
- NHS UK
- American Society of Clinical Oncology
- British Oncology Pharmacy Association
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (USA)
- The Global COVID-19 Observatory and Resource Center for Childhood Cancer
- Teenage Cancer Trust (UK)
- Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Coalition (USA)
- The Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (UK)
- Article: How young patients perceive the COVID-19 (coronavirus) epidemic in Milan, Italy: Is there room for other fears?