There are many different areas that can impact young women, such as having young children or being recently married/engaged, being on the path to career success or at the prime of their careers, juggling work and family in addition to financial commitments, concerns around the impact of cancer treatment on their body and self-image, and how treatment and potential side effects will impact domestic, financial and social pressures. Other stresses for young women can include a lack of peer or family support, and finding the right support that suits their specific concerns.

The program will link young women to suitable counselling and support to address these issues, including:

• Consultation with social workers, psychologist or psychiatrists
• Nutritional services
• Peer-to-peer support groups
• Specific young women’s cancer support groups
• Survivorship support groups
• Look Good Feel Better sessions
• Sexual health resources and support
• Resources and catered groups for family members and carers

For many cancer patients, sexual health can also be a concern throughout treatment and well into survivorship. Sexual problems can have an impact on a patient’s quality of life and in turn impact their partners. We are able to connect patients to sexual counsellors for further support, who can assist with concerns regarding sexual function, gynaecological health challenges, body image concerns, loss of sexual confidence, and communication and other intimacy concerns.