Cancer rehabilitation & survivorship service
What is the cancer rehabilitation and survivorship service?
This service assists cancer survivors and their carers to regain strength, health and quality of life using evidence-based approaches.
After cancer treatment finishes you may have some concerns or side-effects from the cancer and/or its treatment. You may even feel lost and confused. It helps to know what to expect and where you can get further support.
Who is it for?
The program is for people who:
- have or have had cancer, and their carers/family
- live in the shires of Mount Alexander, Macedon Ranges or Central Goldfields, however referrals from other shires will also be considered.
How can it help?
Every person’s needs vary and therefore the service can help people in different ways. For example you may need assistance with your:
- physical needs such as lack of energy, doing day-to-day activities, nutrition, sleep, establishing an exercise regime, pain management or continence
- emotional wellbeing such as sadness, anxiety or depression
- social wellbeing such as support, sex life or relationships with your partner, family and/or friends
- practical issues such as finance, work or transport
- spiritual wellbeing such as sense of self, connectedness and purpose.
What does it involve?
Together with a member of the team you will develop an individualised plan of care. It will be focused on the goals and lifestyle changes you want to achieve.
The team will help you achieve your goals in some of the following ways:
- one-to-one therapy sessions with relevant team members
- link you in with group programs
- regularly review your progress toward your goals
- provide information and education to you, your carers/family
- inform you about other services and provide a referral where needed.
Who’s in the team?
- Nutritionist
- Physiotherapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Social Worker
- Exercise Physiologist
- Counsellor
- Podiatrist
- Speech Pathologist
- Continence Nurse
- Complex Care Nurse
- Community Nurse.
How much does it cost?
Most services cost between $5 and $15. Some services do not have a fee. We will discuss these details with you and in cases of financial hardship, special arrangements can be made.
Referrals
Speak to your GP, oncologist or other health care professional about a referral to this service. Or you can contact our CRC Intake Office directly by calling 5471 3575.
Residents from the shires of Mount Alexander, Central Goldfields and Macedon Ranges are eligible. Referrals from other shires will also be considered.
Castlemaine Health acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.
Project Research
Castlemaine Health has recently published a summary of findings from its Cancer Survivorship Program stream for older people.