Feelings of anxiety and depression are very common and understandable responses to cancer. Many survivors and carers experience anxiety, depression and many other emotions during diagnosis and treatment, and after treatment.
Information for cancer survivors and their families
- Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre (ACSC) fact sheet: Emotional impact of cancer
- Cancer Council Victoria booklet: Understanding your feelings
- Cancer Council Victoria booklet: Your coping toolbox
- American Cancer Society (ACS) website: Anxiety, fear and depression (US)
- Cancer.Net podcast: Cancer and anxiety (US)
- Cancer.Net podcast: Cancer and depression (US)
- Springboard Beyond Cancer website: Anxiety –self management (US)
- Springboard Beyond Cancer website: Depression –self management (US)
Guidance documents
- American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) report (2014): Screening, assessment, and care of anxiety and depressive symptoms in adults with cancer guideline adaptation (US)
Additional resources for health professionals
If you would like to advise of any relevant services or provide feedback please email, ACSC
Clinical services at Peter Mac Parkville
The following services are available to patients of Peter Mac, Parkville. If you are treated elsewhere, please speak with your oncology team, as you may have different clinical service options.
- Psychology services Psychologists use various approaches to help people with cancer and their families adjust to the emotional and psychological challenges of cancer.
- Psychiatry services Psychiatrists are medical specialists who work with people affected with cancer to improve mental health.
- Social work services Social workers can assist and provide support during cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- Spiritual care services Spiritual care draws on respect, trust and understanding and aims to provide support and improve spiritual and emotional health and wellbeing.
- Wellbeing and psychosocial oncology seminars These sessions are run by experts. They address the ‘too hard to talk about’ issues and encourage people facing cancer to live meaningfully.
- Optimisation clinic This multidisciplinary outpatient clinic is for cancer survivors with complex needs. Services include a dietitian, psychologist, physiotherapist and occupational therapist.
Other clinical services in the Parkville precinct
Peter Mac is also part of the Parkville precinct (Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital), with services listed separately, above. If you would like to advise of any relevant services or provide feedback please email, ACSC. If you are treated elsewhere, please speak with your oncology team, as you may have different clinical service options.
