Support for young cancer patients and their families NEW

When cancer crashes into your life, life for the entire family is suddenly upended and many families impacted by cancer don’t know where to turn for support. That’s why Canteen provides a wide range of free support services to help cancer patients and their families through the challenges that cancer can bring.

Help for the whole family

Canteen, Camp Quality and Redkite are working together to streamline support for families. Through Cancer Hub, families (with children aged 0-25) can get easy access to emotional and practical support for cancer - all in one place. Specially trained staff identify patient and family member’s needs before finding the best support options for them.

This includes practical support services for cancer patients and families, such as organising accommodation and financial assistance; emotional support, including free professional counselling; and connection and respite, where you can chat with others in a similar situation or simply take a break from it all through family friendly programs and events.

Find out more about Cancer Hub

image of josh bell with a phone in his hand

Connection for young patients and their parents

We know cancer can be isolating. Canteen really ‘gets’ it. We’ve got you covered. Our free online support platforms Canteen Connect and Parenting Through Cancer are available 24/7 so, whether you’re navigating cancer yourself or you’re the parent of a young person who is, you can chat with others who really understand what you’re going through.

"Having a bunch of people, accessible by your phone or laptop who understand your problems and then you can talk about whatever with them. That’s a really nice feeling to me."

Josh – Canteen Youth Ambassador

Trained counsellors who offer a safe and confidential space are also there to support cancer patients and families (and it’s free!). Sick of talking about cancer? They also offer access to fun events where you can meet new friends, have a laugh and take some much-needed time out from cancer.

Visit Canteen Connect Visit Parenting Through Cancer

Helping young cancer patients with specialist support

Youth Cancer Services (YCS) support cancer patients aged 15-25 in major hospitals around the country. These health professionals help young people navigate what’s often a confusing health system. About 75% of newly diagnosed young patients are now being supported through YCS.

YCS help young cancer patients by providing access to a team of medical and health workers with experience in treating cancer in young people; a designated Cancer Care Coordinator who will be your personal guide through the health system; additional care including help coping with side-effects or returning to school or work; and youth-friendly environments with other patients of a similar age to you.

Find out more about YCS

Helping Young Cancer Patients With Specialist Support

To learn more about how Canteen supports young cancer patients and their families, visit:

Books and resources

A comprehensive guide to help cancer patients get to grips with everything that comes after a cancer diagnosis.

View books and resources

Help with life after cancer

You may have finished treatment but find yourself facing ongoing challenges after cancer - from support with relationships to help getting back to work or studying - Canteen is here to help.

View life after cancer

Clinical Trials

Find out how Canteen is improving outcomes for adolescent and young cancer patients through clinical trials.

View clinical trials

More helpful info for dealing with cancer

Overcoming Exam Stress

Exams are important for future opportunities, but can be extremely stressful, and these feelings can be compounded by a cancer experience. Read some tips on how best to cope.

Sex and cancer

When you’re feeling sick, sex may be the last thing on your mind. But, when you are feeling better you might wonder about what effect your cancer or cancer treatment might have on your sex life.

Dating when you have cancer

Dating and starting new relationships can be hard enough at the best of times! But after a cancer diagnosis, it may seem almost impossible.

Coping with cancer when you're trans and gender-diverse

There are a range of steps trans and gender diverse people may take to affirm their gender. There is no right or wrong way to affirm your gender.

Dealing with cancer when you’re born with intersex variations

Having an intersex variation is about biological features (such as sexual anatomy, reproductive organs, hormonal patterns and/or chromosomal patterns) and not your sexual orientation or gender identity.

Your rights at the doctor when you're LGBTQI+

Everyone has certain rights when receiving health care in Australia. These rights are set out in the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights. They apply to the care you receive in public and private hospitals and by your GP.

Dealing with the emotional effects of cancer on siblings

Best friends or sworn enemies? Probably both – and it can move from one to the other in just a few seconds. Whatever your relationship with your brother or sister was like before, it’s likely to change – for better or worse – now that cancer has come into your life.

Cancer and Relationships - Coping as a couple

Your relationship with your partner/s can change during and after cancer treatment. Some couples find that going through cancer makes their relationship stronger and brings them closer together.

A group of friends supporting a friend with cancer

How to manage both cancer and friendships

Friends can be amazing and supportive, but cancer can shake even the strongest friendship. You may lose some friends and gain new ones.

What is treatment like as a cancer patient in hospital?

Depending on what type of treatment you need to have, how much and how often, you may have to spend a lot of time at a hospital.

LGBTQ+ and cancer - Unique health needs and common concerns

LGBTQI+ and cancer - Unique health needs and common concerns

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) and other young people with diverse sexualities and genders have unique health needs and concerns when diagnosed with cancer.

Communication with parents during cancer and maintaining independence

If you’ve moved into adulthood, you’ve probably already taken on more responsibility and control of your life through significant changes such as moving out of the family home and starting study or work. This growing independence may have shifted your relationship with your parents or carers.

Support for young cancer patients and their families NEW

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Books and resources

Help with life after cancer

Clinical Trials

Acknowledgement of Country

Diversity and Inclusion