Cancer and its treatment can change the life of a young person. After finishing treatment, you may find these resources and information helpful as you move forward.
Websites
- ONTrac at Peter Mac Victorian AYA Cancer Service: Adolescents & Young Adults (AYA)
- Canteen website: Life after treatment
- Teenage Cancer Trust website: Get help
- Macmillan Cancer Support: Teenagers and young adults (UK)
Booklets
Canteen
- Now What? Your guide to dealing with cancer (16-25s)
- Maybe later baby? A guide to relationships, sex and fertility for young people after cancer
- Wait…did you say “cancer”? A guide to supporting your partner when they have cancer
ONTrac at Peter Mac
- 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-SLEEP: Improving night-time sleep problems for adolescents & young adults
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
- Elephants and Tea: Website and online magazine written for and by adolescent and young adults patients (15 – 39 years) (US)
- Sleep and young people (Headspace): sleep myths, truths and tips for young people specifically
- ReachOut: information for young people on topics such as identity, bullying, mental health, relationships, study, work and money, along with recommended tools and apps
- Tune in not out: videos and factsheets for young people about dealing with life’s challenges and other aspects of health and wellbeing
- Future fertility: an oncofertility service with fact sheets for young people on various topics relating to fertility and sex
Podcasts
- 25StayAlive: An engaging, filter-free podcast educating and inspiring young people to be proactive with their health
- Life on Pause (USA): a monthly podcast for and by young adults living with cancer
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 (ONTrac at Peter Mac is the YCS for Victoria)
- Redkite: Support for young people (up to 19th birthday) and their families during and after treatment
- Headspace: Free online and telephone support and counselling for 12 – 25 year olds, their families and friends
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636: online and 24/7 telephone counselling support, and 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 many topics relating to 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 (requires health professional referral). Grants of up to $500 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
- ONTrac at Peter Mac: free group programs for young people aged 15-25, during and after treatment; including study and work skills, visual arts, exercise, and post-treatment health & 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 ONTrac at Peter Mac Victorian Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Service and the Victorian Government on youth related cancer programs and initiatives.
