National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC)

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre’s 'psychosocial care referral checklist' provides a simple way for health professionals to identify patients at higher risk of psychosocial distress who may benefit from additional assessment and appropriate referral for psychosocial care. This resource includes the following:

• Explanatory notes
• Psychosocial care referral checklist
• Distress Thermometer (Note: this pdf is provided by National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN): http://www.nccn.org/)

Downloadable checklist

Multidisciplinary

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.nbocc.org.au/view-document-details/pcrg-2-psychosocial-care-referral-checklist

National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)

Tool for measuring level of distress in cancer patients. It can be downloaded here (265kb)

Proforma (download)

Multidisciplinary

Free registration with NCCN

Free of charge

US

http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/distress.pdf

Fertile Hope, in association with Livestrong.com

Fertile Hope is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing reproductive information, support and hope to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility and information for health professionals regarding fertility risks and options. The site includes algorithms/pathways for referrals, a risk calculator tool, an options calculator tool and other resources for patients considering their options.

Website

Health professionals, oncologists

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

US

http://www.fertilehope.org/healthcare-professionals/index.cfm

Department of Health and Human Services, Tasmania

This resource has been designed to meet the information needs of health workers in Tasmania and is the result of a project to provide State-wide consistent and current resources. It has been developed through consultation with individuals, representatives and organisations who have an interest in improving the care of rural women who have or who have had breast cancer. 177kb

Web-based PDF

Allied health - all

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/25526/breastscreen_resource_sect9.pdf

CancerCare

CancerCare is a nonprofit organisation that provides free, professional support services to anyone affected by cancer: people with cancer, caregivers, children, loved ones, and the bereaved. Organised by topic and cancer type, CancerCare's Reading Room offers a variety of publications for heatlh professionals, patients and caregivers that can be downloaded as PDFs or ordered, regarding the medical, emotional and practical aspects of coping with cancer.

Web-based PDF

Health professionals, consumers, carers

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

US

http://www.cancercare.org/reading_room/pub_order.php

End of Life and Palliative Education Resource Centre (EPERC)

EPERC provides resource to End of Life/Palliative healthcare professionals through support from the Medical College of Wisconsin. The site is intended to support individuals involved in the design, implementation, and/or evaluation of End-of-Life/Palliative education for physicians, nurses and other health care professionals.

Major content areas in EOL/Palliative education include:

• pain
• non-pain symptoms
• communications skills
• ethics
• terminal care, and
• clinical interventions used near the end-of-life.

Education materials are arranged by format: Behaviorally Anchored Rating Forms; Cases; Evaluation Forms; Multiple Choice Exams; Pocket Instructional Aids; Slide Presentations; Standardized Patient Materials, and Web sites.

Training modules

Health professionals, oncologists

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

US

http://www.eperc.mcw.edu/index.htm

The Cancer Council Australia (TCCA)

The Supportive Care Committee of The Cancer Council Australia has developed a number of position statements to support its advocacy goals and to provide information and advice about topical issues of interest to cancer patients and survivors.

Website - information

Health professionals

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.cancer.org.au/policy/positionstatements/supportivecare.htm

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC)

The Clinical practice guidelines for the psychosocial care of adults with cancer have been developed by the NBOCC and the National Cancer Control Initiative in response to this need. The Steering Group used the original psychosocial guidelines for women with breast cancer as a template for the expansion of information, and further development of recommendations regarding clinical care of all adult patients with cancer.

These evidence-based guidelines have been designed for use by all health professionals who come in contact with people during the course of cancer diagnosis and treatment. The document is multidisciplinary in its focus and the recommendations applicable to diverse treatment settings.

Website - information

Multidisciplinary

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.nbocc.org.au/view-document-details/pca-1-clinical-practice-guidelines-for-the-psychosocial-care-of-adults-with-cancer

Published in Medical Journal of Australia by Josephine M Clayton, Karen M Hancock, Phyllis N Butow, Martin H N Tattersall and David C Currow

Development of the "Clinical practice guidelines for communicating prognosis and end-of-life issues with adults in the advanced stages of a life-limiting illness, and their caregivers" was supported by a Strategic Research Grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council on “Discussing prognosis and end-of-life issues in palliative care; current practice and development of an evidence based training program”. Prognostic and end-of-life communication is a vital skill for health care professionals caring for patients with progressive life-limiting illnesses, and their families. Expert opinion varies, and high-quality evidence on how best to discuss these issues with such patients and their caregivers is limited. These guidelines were developed to address these issues. The guidelines were developed through the following methods: Systematic literature review of the best available evidence on discussion of prognosis and end-of-life issues; Review of previous relevant guidelines and expert opinions in the literature; and Refining of draft guidelines by an expert advisory panel.

PDF Article

Multidisciplinary

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/186_12_180607/cla11246_fm.html#contributors

Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC)

Developed by MASCC, the world standard antiemetic guidelines for the treatment and prevention of nausea and vomiting following chemotherapy, radiation therapy or other cancer treatments were updated in 2008. Guidelines are included for the four risk groups and agents and are available for download in several languages.

Web-based PDF

Multidisciplinary health professionals, medical oncologists, cancer nurses, general practitioners

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

International

http://www.mascc.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=88041

National Cancer Institute

A series of supportive care summaries that provide descriptions of the pathophysiology and treatment of common physical and psychosocial complications of cancer and its treatment, such as pain, emotional concerns, hypercalcemia, and nausea/vomiting. Each health professional version contains an overview, information on etiology, assessment and management, and references to the current literature. Most supportive care summaries are also available in patient versions, written in easy-to-understand, non-technical language.

Website - information

Multidisciplinary

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

US

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping

NHS End of Life Care Programme

A document detailing the core competences and principles determined in the UK that underpin all levels of practice for health care professionals whose work includes care and support for people approaching, and at, the end of their lives, whether their primary involvement is healthcare related or social care and support.

Web-based PDF

Multidisciplinary health professionals

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

UK

http://www.endoflifecare.nhs.uk/eolc/files/NHS-EoLC_Core_competences-Guide-Jul2009.pdf

Department of Health and Ageing

The Carer Information Pack provides practical information that health professionals can provide to carers and family members to assist them to care for the cancer patient and themselves, produced by Aged and Community Care Division of the Australian Department of Health and Ageing. The Carer Information Pack is free to carers and provides practical information to support them in their caring role. PDF fact sheets are available for download in PDF formats on the following topics:

• Taking a Break
• Feelings
• Managing Money; Managing Health Care and Medications
• Legal Arrangements
• Safety at Home
• Taking Care of Yourself
• Loss and Grief
• Services for You
• Emergency Care Plan and List for recording medication requirements.

Website – information with web-based PDFs

General practitioners, health professionals, consumers

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ageing-carers-carerkit.htm

Royal College of General Practitioners

A carer is someone who, without payment, provides support to a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour who could not manage without their help. GPs and their teams are often the first point of contact for carers, uniquely placed to recognise that someone is, or is about to become, a carer, and to provide support, information and resources. This resource suggests ways for GPs and their practice teams to support carers practically and emotionally, to monitor their situation and wellbeing, and to identify and resolve any issues that may arise at an early stage.

Web-based PDF

General practitioners, health professionals

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

UK

http://static.carers.org/files/prtc-final-3640.pdf

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC)

Report on a Commonwealth-funded initiative to improve supportive care for women with breast cancer in rural and regional Australia

Web-based PDF

Multidisciplinary

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.nbocc.org.au/view-document-details/ssw-1-evidence-relevant-to-guidelines-for-the-investigation-of-breast-symptoms

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC)

Overview of published research about the psychosocial impact of breast cancer on women’s body image and sexuality. It also considers the supportive care issues for women and their partners, as illustrated through a series of focus group interviews. 585kb

Web-based PDF

Multidisciplinary

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.nbocc.org.au/view-document-details/pbi-psychosocial-impact-in-the-areas-of-body-image-and-sexuality-for-women-with-breast-cancer

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC)

Report about tools and methods for identifying psychosocial distress. 561kb

Web-based PDF

Multidisciplinary

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.nbocc.org.au/view-document-details/ipd-the-identification-of-psychological-distress-in-women-with-breast-cancer

Victorian Ministerial Taskforce for Cancer

Report from the Supportive Care in Cancer Seminar, which considered research into supportive care in cancer and aimed to identify both current and potential research activities in this area. The seminar focussed on areas such as quality of life, functional outcomes, rehabilitation and psychosocial outcomes, survivorship issues and spiritual care.

Report

Multidisciplinary

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.health.vic.gov.au/cancer/docs/research/transseminar.pdf

Department of Human Services, Victoria

Fact sheet about supportive care policies in Victoria. 152kb

Web-based PDF

Multidisciplinary

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.health.vic.gov.au/cancer/docs/suppcare/cosa06suppcare.pdf

Oxford University Press, USA

Psycho-oncology is a comprehensive reference work on all the psychological aspects of cancer. It started as a revision of Holland and Rowland's very successful Handbook of Psychooncology (OUP, 1990), but was so heavily revised and expanded that it became a new book. Among the many changes, there are new sets of chapters on psychosocial risk factors for cancer, genetic risk and cancer screening, and caring for persons with special needs. The editor, Jimmie C. Holland, is widely recognized as a leader and founder of this field. The six associate editors represent the disciplines relevant to psycho-oncology: psychiatry, psychology, social work and nursing.

Textbook

Multidisciplinary

Publicly available - no restrictions

Cost involved (retail)

USA

http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/Medicine/PsychiatryPsychology/?view=usa&ci=9780195367430

Ausmed Pty Ltd

Psychosocial Care of Cancer Patients: A Health Professional's Guide for What to Say and Do developed out of a desire to support and guide health professionals to provide compassionate, high-level psychosocial care to all those affected by cancer. While this book focuses on the psychosocial care of adults, some content is appropriate to the care of parents, carers and loved ones of cancer patients and survivors.

The textbook is practical resource handbook developed by psycho-oncology health professionals for assessing and managing common concerns which offers numerous practical strategies for assessing and managing common concerns including:

• Identifying and extending health professionals' existing psychosocial care skills
• Developing new psychosocial care skills
• Identifiying key resources for health professionals for each topic
• Providing clinical case examples throughout that highlight learning objectives
• Addressing frequently overlooked issues such as sexuality and body image

The textbook also contains photocopiable resource sheets that support the practical application of the content.

Textbook

Psychosocial & supportive care

Cost involved (retail)

See Ausmed Online Order Website

Australia

http://www.ausmed.com.au/Psychiatric-/-Mental-Health/
Psychosocial-Care-of-Cancer-Patients-A-Health-Professional-s-Gu/Detailed-product-flyer.html

Clinical Oncological Society & The Cancer Council Australia

An edition of Cancer Forum, (March 2006, 30(1), the official journal of the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA), with a focus on psycho-oncology issues.

Web-based PDF

Multidisciplinary

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.cancer.org.au//File/PolicyPublications/CancerForumMAR06.pdf

Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark and Institute of Medical Psychology, University Clinic Hamburg, Germany

A diagnostic tool with literature references and website links to support psycho-oncological research collection..

Web-based Word doc

Multidisciplinary

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Europe

http://www.ipos-society.org/professionals/tools-resources/questionnaires-psychooncological-research.doc

Journal of Clinical Oncology

Physicians tend to focus on technical aspects of treatment without describing possible outcomes and without eliciting patients’ values, goals and concerns. This article describes the communication skills program entitled Oncotalk developed to improve medical oncology fellows’ communication skills with patients who have incurable or progressive cancer. With a focus on practical skills and key communication tasks this program uses evidence based educational techniques tailored to medical oncology fellows. Components of this program are available at http://depts.washington.edu/oncotalk/ and could be adapted to other settings.

Web-based PDF

Medical oncologists

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

USA

http://www.jcojournal.org/cgi/reprint/21/12/2433

Clinical Oncological Society Australia (COSA) & The Cancer Council Australia

An edition of Cancer Forum (November 2009, 33(3), the official journal of the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA), is dedicated to the topical issues of survivorship and matters relating to living life after cancer.

Web-based PDF

Health professionals, consumers

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.cancerforum.org.au/Issues/2009/November.htm

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC)

A website for people who have completed treatment for early breast cancer, designed to answer any questions about life after treatment. Includes a series of interviews featuring a number of breast cancer survivors, who talk about their experiences after treatment for breast cancer.

Website

Multidisciplinary, consumers

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.nbocc.org.au/breast-cancer/life-after-breast-cancer/life-after-breast-cancer

The Cancer Council Victoria & Peter Mac Cancer Centre

A booklet focusing on the issues affecting cancer survivors following the completion of their treatment, including advice for returning to a 'normal' life and dealing with practical issues, and information regarding anxiety and depression, follow up care, long term side affects and staying healthy.

Web-based PDF

Consumers, health professionals

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.cancervic.org.au/downloads/Life_after_cancer_survivors/Life_after_cancer.pdf

Four Corners program, ABC Television

Transcript of the "Surviving Survival" edition of the television program, Four Corners about the experiences of cancer patients after 5 years of post-treatment survival. To borrow a video of the episode, call The Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20.

Web-based PDF

Multidisciplinary, consumers

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/s197277.htm

American Society of Clinical Oncology

Cancer.Net's survivorship section provides helpful information for cancer survivors and their friends and family with links to various resources.

Website

Multidisciplinary, consumers

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

USA

http://www.cancer.net/patient/Survivorship

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship is America's oldest survivor-led cancer advocacy organization in the country, advocating for quality cancer care for all Americans and empowering cancer survivors. NCCS believes in evidence-based advocacy for systemic changes at the federal level in how the nation researches, regulates, finances, and delivers quality cancer care.

Patient education is also a priority, leading to the development of NCCS’s award-winning Cancer Survival Toolbox® to assist patients about quality cancer care.

A Facilitator's Manual has been developed to assist health care professionals to implement the toolbox in a health care setting.

Website

Multidisciplinary, consumers

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

USA

http://www.canceradvocacy.org/toolbox/

Feuerstein, M. (Editor), published by Springer

The Handbook on Cancer Survivorship responds to the diverse needs of survivors and their support communities by comprehensively addressing the major issues in the field, from the burden of survivorship to secondary prevention. Editor Michael Feuerstein, himself a cancer survivor, and sixty other top scientist-practitioners analyze in depth how survivors meet and manage the challenges of life after cancer, and what clinicians, researchers, and public health systems can do to ease the transition.

The Handbook’s 27 comprehensive chapters include the latest research and practice related to:

• Survivors’ quality of life and how it can be assessed;
• Managing everyday and chronic stress;
• Depression, anxiety, pain disorders, and cognitive changes;
• Coping, adaptation, and resilience;
• Behavior change strategies – exercise, weight control, smoking cessation;
• Cancer survivorship centers and other models for follow-up care;
• Survivor, clinician, and international perspectives;
• New frontiers in practice, research, and policy.

Such wide-ranging coverage benefits everyone involved in cancer survival: primary care providers, oncologists; behavioral health specialists; physical and occupational therapists; nutritionists; epidemiologists; health systems professionals and policymakers; and, of course, survivors themselves and their families.

Textbook

Multidisciplinary, consumers

Publicly available - no restrictions

Retail costs apply

USA

http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/book/handbook-of-cancer-survivorship/269715/

The Psychosocial and Nursing Advisory Board to the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research

A number of cancers can now be cured but many cancer survivors feel that the medical system fails to meet their critical, unique and varied ongoing emotional, physical, and spiritual needs including included issues of depression, sexuality, pain, fear of disease recurrence, difficulties in relationships, and financial strain

This newsletter, published by The Psychosocial and Nursing Advisory Board to the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research, includes a selection of recent journal articles relating to survivorship issues:

• Addressing the Psychosocial Needs in Cancer Care
• Physical Effects in Cancer Survivors
• Sexuality and Cancer Survivorship
• Employment, Insurance and Financial Issues
• Spirituality and Cancer Survivorship
• Courageous Cancer Couple-Meaningful Meanderings

Web based PDF

Multidisciplinary, consumers

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

USA

http://www.state.nj.us/health/ccr/documents/2009_1.pdf

Institute of Medicine and National Research Council of the National Academies

Focuses on survivors of adult cancer during the phase of care that follows primary treatment. Includes information about the importance of care coordination.

Website - information

Multidisciplinary

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

US

http://www.iom.edu/?id=31512

Australian Psychological Society (APS)

The APS is committed to advancing psychology as a discipline and profession. It spreads the message that psychologists make a difference to peoples’ lives, through improving scientific knowledge and community wellbeing.

APS members form a dynamic group that advocate for psychologists at all levels of government. They are constantly promoting the contributions psychology makes to people's health and wellbeing, and to understanding important social issues facing Australian society.

Website - information

Professionals working in psychological health

Application for membership available

Costs may be involved

Australia

http://www.psychology.org.au/

Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer

The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) is an international, multidisciplinary organization. MASCC/ISOO is unique in that it is a multiprofessional organization that encompasses all aspects of cancer care beyond direct antineoplastic approaches. The membership profile includes oncology medical, surgical, and radiology physicians, nurses, dentists, dental hygienists, pharmacists, social workers, dieticians, outcomes specialists, psychologists, statisticians, infectious disease specialists, educators and representatives from industry and non-profit sectors.

Website - information

Multidisciplinary

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

USA

http://www.mascc.org

Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA)

The Australian Psychosocial Oncology Society’s mission is to promote the psychosocial care of patients with cancer, their families and carers, to enhance the capacity of health professionals to deliver optimal psychosocial care, and to promote the timely translation of research into clinical practice. Membership is open to all members of COSA who are interested in the psychosocial care of patients with cancer and their families.

Website - information

Multidisciplinary

Registration required – contact organisation

Payment required contact COSA

No

http://www.cosa.org.au/Groups/COSAGroups/Psycho-oncology.htm

Oncology Social Work Australia (OSWA)

Oncology Social Work Australia (OSWA) is a member group of COSA dedicated to the enhancement of psychosocial services to people with cancer and their families. OSWA is the peak organisation for Australian Oncology Social Workers, providing a forum for information, exchange, networking and ready access to resources to support of the practice of oncology social work.

Website - information

Social workers

Registration required – contact organisation

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.cosa.org.au/Groups/COSAGroups/SocialWork.htm

Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG)

The Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG) was established in 2005, in response to a recognised need to develop the capacity and co-ordinated collaboration to conduct large-scale, multi-centre psycho-oncology and supportive care research. Membership (free) is open to researchers and health professionals from Australia and New Zealand.

The site also includes a clickable world map of psycho-oncology research centres to foster collaborations and networks among researchers in psycho-oncology in Australia and around the world.

Website - information

Multidisciplinary

Membership is obtained by self-registration on the PoCoG website

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.pocog.org.au/default.aspx

Centre for Medical Psychology & Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED)

CeMPED's mission is to support excellent research across the interface of Psychology, Medicine and Public Health to answer questions about: the behavioural factors which promote good health and prevent disease; ways to enhance the psychosocial adjustment of patients and carers; ways to increase use of evidence in health care decision making; and ways to support patients to be more involved in their own health care. CeMPED's research strengths lie in three themes:

• Doctor-patient communication
• Evidence-based, shared decision making; and
• Psycho-Oncology

Website - information

Multidisciplinary

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.psych.usyd.edu.au/cemped/

Centre for Health Research & Psycho-oncology (CHeRP)

The Centre for Health Research & Psycho-oncology (CHeRP) is a behavioural research group established in 1988 with funding from the Cancer Council NSW and is based within the Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle.

CHeRP's mission is to undertake the highest quality research and relevant training in order to contribute to a reduction in the burden of illness imposed by cancer. Research focus is on:

• primary and secondary prevention of cancer
• behavioural aspects of the consequences of cancer
• the care of cancer patients

Website - information

Multidisciplinary

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/cherp/index.html

Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN)

The Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN) is a national initiative committed to supporting the development of collaborative mental health services in the primary care sector, offering targeted resources, support and workshops to enable high quality interdisciplinary networking between local groups of mental health professionals.

Website - information

Mental health professionals

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.mhpn.org.au/Home/tabid/38/Default.aspx

IPP-SHR International Program of Psycho-Social Health Research

IPP-SHR is a collaborative initiative jointly funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council and CQUniversity. The primary aim of this international program in research is to examine and document the human experience of serious illness (both physical and mental). IPP-SHR is a broad program addressing a wide range of topic areas including haematology/oncology; mental health; palliative care; bioethics; rural and remote health; Indigenous health; spirituality; paediatrics; and service delivery evaluation. In essence the program is concerned with contributing to the development of psycho-social services that assist people to deal with the many challenges associated with serious physical and/or mental illness. The core work is to 'make a difference' and this is achieved through research, publication, education and consultancy activities.

Website - information

Health professionals

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.ipp-shr.cqu.edu.au/

American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS)

The aim of American Psychosocial Oncology Society is to advance the science and practice of psychosocial care for people with cancer. This includes:

• Providing a forum for professionals and individuals interested in the areas of psychological, social, behavioral, and spiritual aspects of cancer;
• Raising the level of awareness of health professionals and the public about psychological, social, behavioral, and spiritual domains of care for patients with cancer
• Developing and implementing educational programs for health professionals, patients, and the public on the psychological, social, behavioral, and spiritual aspects of cancer

APOS sells at a very low cost the first pocket-size reference on Psychosocial Oncology, written by experts in the field:
http://www.apos-society.org/professionals/tools-resources/handbook/handbook.aspx

Membership available.

Website - information

Multidisciplinary

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.apos-society.org/default.aspx

International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS)

Founded in 1984, the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) was created to foster international multidisciplinary communication about clinical, educational and research issues that relate to the subspecialty of psycho-oncology and two primary psychosocial dimensions of cancer:

• Response of patients, families and staff to cancer and its treatment at all stages;
• Psychological, social and behavioral factors that influence tumor progression and survival.

Membership is open to individuals with a diversity of clinical and research backgrounds. These include, but are not limited to, physicians, social workers, nurses, psychologists, rehabilitation specialists, epidemiologists, social scientists, and educators. Currently, there are over two hundred members from thirty-eight countries.

Website - information

Multidisciplinary

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

US

http://www.ipos-society.org/

The Cancer Council Australia (TCCA)

This section of the TCCA website provides information about the support available to people with cancer at a national and state level. This includes:

• counselling services
• support groups and networks
• education groups, programs and information
• practical assistance
• accommodation

Website - information

Consumers

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.cancer.org.au/aboutcancer/patientsupport.htm

Cancer Voices Australia (CVA)

Cancer Voices Australia provides a national, independent “voice” for people affected by all types of cancer, linking and collaborating with state Cancer Voices in ACT, NSW, QLD, VIC, WA and SA. Cancer Voices Tasmania will commence shortly.

CVA is a respected and integral part of the national cancer control arena, working collaboratively with its member organisations, the Federal Government, Cancer Australia, Cancer Councils, the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia, other clinical bodies and key stakeholders to improve services and care for all people affected by cancer in Australia.

Website – information

Consumers

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.cancervoicesaustralia.org.au/

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC)

This booklet provides information about the emotional and social impact of cancer. It has been written for people diagnosed with cancer, their family and friends.

This booklet may be most useful for people recently diagnosed with cancer or currently undergoing treatment. However, there are some issues discussed that may be relevant at other times throughout your cancer journey.

Website - information

Consumers

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.nbocc.org.au/download-document/pcac-cancer-how-are-you-travelling

Southern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Services

A practical, simple and easy to read guide that outlines what patients could expect post treatment, providing resources to refer to and utilise in addressing their uncertainties. Aims of the booklet include:

• To provide information, resources and links to support patients who have received chemotherapy
• Assist patients in knowing what to expect, as there is an expectation that they can resume 'life as normal' following treatment
• Reduce anxiety experienced on completion of chemotherapy, and
• Fill the information gap reported by patients who had previously received chemotherapy.

This can be downloaded in PDF format or is available as a hard copy booklet that can be ordered from SMICS.

Web-based PDF

Multidisciplinary, consumers

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

Download: here.

beyondblue: the national depression initiative

The beyondblue website contains information and resources about anxiety and depression and mental health for cancer patients, their carers and families, with helpful strategies to deal with signs of distress, including how to seek help for depression and anxiety.

Resources available for download include:

• "Maintaining your well-being: Information on depression and anxiety for men with prostate cancer and their partners", a booklet developed with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA)
• Prostate cancer: the risk of depression/anxiety fact sheet
• Anxiety disorders and depression in men with testicular cancer fact sheet
• Depression and breast cancer fact sheet

The website also contains information for health professionals regarding managing depression in primary care settings, indigenous-specific resources and clinical guidelines for mental health. All resources can also be ordered through the beyondblue information line (1300 22 4636).

Web-based PDF

Multidisciplinary, consumers

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA)

BCNA work to ensure that Australians diagnosed with breast cancer and their families receive the very best information, treatment, care and support possible, no matter who they are or where they live.

The My Journey Kit is a comprehensive information resource for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. The Kit has three main elements: My Journey Information Guide: a spiral bound booklet that guides women to information and support resources that others who have experienced breast cancer have found helpful. It also provides tips gained from experience to help throughout the breast cancer journey; My Journey Personal Record: a handbag sized spiral bound booklet for recording details of past medical history and contact details, treatment and any side-effects experienced, dates of consultations and what was discussed, tests and results and questions to ask the health care team. It also contains a calendar to record appointments and a form to keep track of all medical and treatment expenses; and My Journey Satchel: a convenient place to store copies of test results, the My Journey Information Guide and any other documents to save along the way. Order online or call 1300 78 55 62 to order your free My Journey Kit. Health Professionals can order a free sample of this resource by calling 1800 500 258 or emailing: beacon@bcna.org.au

The Hope & Hurdles Pack is BCNA's new resource for women with secondary breast cancer and is the result of extensive consultations with women and with those who treat and care for them. The Pack contains a number of individual items; booklets, brochures, magazines and CDs that offer information, support and hope for women and their families. Order online or call 1300 887 340 to order your free Hope & Hurdles Pack. Health Professionals can order a sample of this resource by calling 1800 500 258 or emailing: beacon@bcna.org.au

Toolkits

Consumers, health professionals

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

• The My Journey Kit: http://www.bcna.org.au/content/view/74/48/
• The Hope and Hurdles Pack: http://www.bcna.org.au/content/view/660/1272/

US National Cancer Institute

This tool for patients provides information about the psychological and social aspects of a cancer diagnosis. This tool includes the following sections:

• Cancer will change your life
• Your feelings: Learning you have cancer
• Family matters
• Sharing your feelings about cancer
• Learning about your cancer and feeling more in control
• People helping people
• Dealing with a new self-image
• Living each day
• Resources for learning more

Website - information

Consumers

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

USA

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/takingtime/allpages

American Cancer Society

The NexProfiler Tool for Cancer is an interactive decision-support tool, which enables cancer patients to make better informed treatment decisions using information from evidence-based, peer-reviewed medical literature describing specific conditions, treatment types, and the exact topics that should be discussed with medical professionals.

Website - information

Multidisciplinary and Consumers

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

USA

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/eto_1_1a.asp

MacMillan Cancer Support

A series of information resources for people with cancer.

Website - information

Consumers

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

UK

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Livingwithandaftercancer/Livingwithandaftercancer.aspx

The Cancer Council Victoria

This booklet has been prepared to help people with cancer understand how cancer and its treatment may affect their sexuality, and to help to rebuild their sexual confidence.

Web based PDF

Consumers

Publicly available - no restrictions

Free of charge

Australia

http://www.cancervic.org.au/downloads/brochures/cancer_types/Sexuality_cancer_08.pdf