It takes a village to support a cancer patient through the journey, and Cancer Council WA’s Melanie Marsh urges doctors to share the load through its support line.
When a patient hears the words “you have cancer” it changes everything. For many, the days and weeks that follow are filled with fear, confusion and unanswered questions.
As a GP or specialist, you may be one of the first trusted voices they hear – a steady presence during a deeply uncertain time. But you don’t have to support them alone.
One of the most powerful – and often underutilised – services available to WA health professionals is our Cancer Council WA 13 11 20 Information and Support Line.
This free, confidential service exists to support not only people with cancer, but also their carers, families and their healthcare providers.
Our services can assist with the physical, emotional and practical impact a cancer diagnosis can bring. We provide tailored information relevant to each patient’s needs, including referrals to local programs and support options.
More than a helpline
For GPs and specialists the helpline can act as an extension of care — a bridge between the clinical setting and the supportive care services patients often desperately need. Health professionals can access the service by phone, email, or by completing a health professional referral form on the Cancer Council WA website.
The service is particularly useful for time-poor clinicians, or in cases where a patient needs support and information beyond what’s possible in a standard appointment.
We’ve had GPs contact us directly to request information about Cancer Council WA’s support services
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We’ve also had GPs encourage their patients to call for emotional support or practical guidance — and the impact of those referrals can be life-changing.
Whether it’s connecting someone with a counsellor, assisting with transport to treatment, or simply providing information, our helpline ensures no person needs to navigate cancer alone.
A life-changing call
Each call is unique because every cancer experience is different. Some people are seeking practical help, such as financial advice or accommodation near a treatment centre. Others just need someone to talk to who understands.
One such caller was Nan Samy, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer during a routine check-up.
Nan accessed Cancer Council WA’s counselling services and described the experience as transformative.
“The session helped me reflect on myself. The questions the counsellor asked made me think, and that gave me more clarity,” Nan said.
“I feel some people being diagnosed with cancer will find it useful because they can have someone to speak to not only to share their grief but also to get them thinking about what is next and how to accept the situation through self-reflection.”
Inspired by the support she received, Nan went on to complete a Graduate Certificate in Counselling at ECU and now helps others through life coaching and mindfulness.
Stories like Nan’s highlight how a single phone call – often made at one of the most vulnerable moments in a person’s life – can set someone on a path toward empowerment and healing.
Helping patients ask the right questions
In addition to the helpline, Cancer Council WA has developed practical tools to help people navigate their cancer journey from the very beginning. One such resource is our Questions to Ask Your Doctor After a Cancer Diagnosis guide, a straightforward, downloadable list designed to support patients during those crucial first conversations.
It includes questions such as:
- What type of cancer do I have?
- What are the treatment options, and what do you recommend?
- What are the side effects?
- What support services are available?
GPs and specialists are encouraged to print or email the guide to newly diagnosed patients. Resources like this empower people to participate in their care with more confidence.
Patients often leave appointments with a head full of information but very little clarity, however this guide helps them feel more in control, more informed, and less overwhelmed.
For any GP or specialist who hasn’t yet referred a patient, our message is clear: refer. It’s one of the easiest and most impactful things you can do to support your patients.
With cancer affecting one in two Australians during their lifetime, the demand for emotional, practical and psychosocial support is growing.
Referring patients ensures they are connected with a team of cancer nurses, counsellors, and support staff who can walk beside them — from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.
Importantly, it also takes pressure off clinicians by giving patients another trusted place to turn for guidance, reassurance and connection.
To find out more or refer a patient, visit www.cancerwa.asn.au or call 13 11 20.
ED: Melanie Marsh is the Cancer Council WA’s Supportive Care Director
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