Gynaecological Oncology Psychosocial Support Services

Cancer is not only a physical illness but also an emotional journey that requires medical intervention and psychosocial support at all stages, including diagnosis, treatment, after care and palliative care (if required).

The diagnosis and treatment of a gynaecological cancer can affect a woman on a deeply intimate level impacting on self-identity, confidence and relationships with others. This is a time when it is important to acknowledge and address these issues, and access support and assistance to deal with these concerns.

Some of the issues a woman can struggle with are:

• Changes in body image
• Sexuality issues
• Survivorship issues
• Anxiety and depression
• Grief
• Fertility issues
• Premature menopause
• Relationship issues
• Financial and vocational issues
• Lymphoedema.

What are psychosocial support services?

Psychosocial support services encompass the diversified range of organisations
and individuals that offer psychological support and practical assistance to women
with cancer, their carers, friends and families, enabling them to deal with the
diagnosis and feel supported throughout the cancer journey.

How do you access these services?

As the majority of psychosocial support services are reliant on the availability
of individuals with knowledge and expertise in caring for people dealing with
the experience of cancer, the delivery of such services is variable.

Therefore, the most reliable avenues to access the services you require are through:

1. The Social Worker, Psychologist or Specialist Nurse attached to one of the specialist gynaecological oncology treatment units
2. The Cancer Council’s Helpline on 13 11 20 for the cost of a local call.
   This is a free and confidential service
3. The Gynaecological Oncology Psychosocial Support Project website www.gynaecancersupport.org.au
4. The Regional Offices of the Cancer Council NSW.

Types of support and information available

• Specific gynaecological oncology information, counselling and support services
• General cancer support groups (some hold groups for carers)
• Counselling services are available at:
  1. Women’s Health Centres
  2. Community Health Centres
  3. Social Work Department at local hospital
  4. Private practitioners (cost involved)
• Genetic Counselling
• Lymphoedema services
• Accommodation for cancer patients and carers
• Community nursing services
• Practical and financial assistance, including Centrelink benefits and allowances
• Transport and ambulatory assistance
• Wigs and other personal enhancement aids
• Palliative care services
• Bereavement counselling.

Specialist gynaecological oncology treatment units

The Social Worker, Psychologist or Specialist Nurse attached to the multidisciplinary
team at the specialist unit where you have undergone treatment is the best person
to seek out regarding accessing ongoing support. They are familiar with the issues
that can be of concern and can advise on how best to access the most appropriate
resources required at any time during the cancer experience.

The specialist units are committed to supporting women throughout their cancer
journey and the psychosocial support staff in particular are there to offer emotional
support and practical assistance to outpatients as well as to inpatients.

Specific gynaecological cancer support groups may be attached to the specialist
units. However, due to the variations in types of cancer support groups, check with
the Social Worker or Psychologist to find out the details of where and when they meet.