Cancer and its treatment can change the life of a young person. You may find these resources and information helpful after finishing treatment and as you move forward.
Websites
- Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Service
- ReGenerate: ReGenerate: an online resource about life after treatment (information, videos and podcasts) , Peter Mac
- Life after treatment, Canteen
- Help and support, Teenage Cancer Trust website
- Teenagers and young adults, Macmillan Cancer Support (UK)
Booklets
Canteen
- Now What? Your guide to dealing with cancer (16-24 years)
- Maybe later baby? A guide to relationships, sex, and fertility for young people after cancer
- Wait…did you say “cancer”? Supporting your partner when they have cancer
Victorian AYA Cancer Service
- Getting to Grips with General Practice, A guide to general practice for young people 15-25 years old who have had a diagnosis of cancer
- Thinking Ahead, Your guide to school, study, and work
- Being Ok … Being You, A guide for young people who identify as LGBTIQ+ and have cancer
- AYA CAN-SLEEP: A guide to sleep for young people who have had cancer
Cancer Council
Cancer Council web pages and booklets:
- Life after treatment
- Nutrition, Meal and snack ideas and Easy snack and lunch recipes
- Exercise
- Sexuality and intimacy
- Emotions
Other
- Sleep and young people fact sheet, Headspace. Sleep myths, truths, and tips for young people.
- ReachOut Information and resources for young people about identity, bullying, mental health, relationships, study, work, money and more.
- Tune In Not Out Videos and factsheets for young people about life’s challenges and other aspects of health and wellbeing.
- Future Fertility An oncofertility service with information and resources for young people including topics relating to fertility and sex.
- Elephants and Tea Stories and online magazine written for and by 15 – 39-year-old patients. (US)
Podcasts
- 25StayAlive. An engaging, filter-free podcast, educating and inspiring young people to be proactive with their health.
- Life on Pause, PennState Health. A monthly podcast for and by young adults living with cancer. (US)
- Getting Cancer Young Series of eight short videos about survivorship and life after treatment.
Support services
- Cancer Council 13 11 20. Free telephone service managed by cancer nurses providing information, emotional and practical support to people affected by cancer.
- Canteen. Counselling and individual support, peer support and programs, Canteen Connect (online community).
- Youth Cancer Services (YCS). Each Australian state has a team of health care professionals specialising in the cancer treatment and care of young people aged 15-25 that you can contact for help and advice.
- Redkite. Support for people, up to 19th birthday, and their families during and after treatment.
- Headspace. Free online and telephone support and counselling. Available for 12 – 25-year-olds, their families, and friends.
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636. Online and 24/7 telephone counselling support.
- Youth Beyond Blue. Information and support for young people about dealing with low mood/depression, anxiety and other concerns.
- Australian Psychologist Society. Find a psychologist in your local area.
- Lifeline 13 11 14. Online support services, 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention.
- Kids Helpline. Youth-specific, age-based information about identity, physical, mental, and emotional health and wellbeing, relationships, study and dealing with life’s challenges.
- Gather my Crew. A web-based tool for setting up a support crew for yourself or someone else.
- The Christina Ghobadi Foundation. Wellness grants for young people (18 – 30 years) living with or recovering from cancer. This service requires a health professional referral. Supplies grants of up to $500. These can be used for gym memberships, yoga classes, books, tickets to sporting events and more.
- Centrelink. A range of payments or other benefits may be available for young people and their carers.
Group programs
-
Victorian AYA Cancer Service. Free group programs for young people aged 15-25, during and after treatment. Includes study and work skills, visual arts, exercise, and post-treatment health and wellbeing.
The information on this page has been endorsed by the Victorian & Tasmanian Youth Cancer Action Board (YCAB), a 12-member board of young people who advise and guide the Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Service and the Victorian Government on youth related cancer programs and initiatives.