Pancreatic Cancer Support Groups

Living with pancreatic cancer can be stressful, difficult and scary for patients and their loved ones. It is important to know that you are not alone.

Many people find talking to others who have experienced a similar situation very helpful. Some people also feel that in support group settings they can speak more openly about their experience and feelings.

There are several ways you can connect with others to share support and information. Below are some of the services available, however we also recommend speaking with your healthcare team about support groups in your area.

In-person support groups

New South Wales

Sydney Support Groups

The Sydney Adventist Hospital hold a support group for people with pancreatic cancer, their partners or support persons.

Time: 1:30pm – 3:00pm, third Thursday of every month.

Location: Jacaranda Lodge, Sydney Adventist Hospital, Wahroonga, NSW.

For further information or bookings please contact the Cancer Support Centre on support@sah.org.au or 02 9487 9061.

South Australia

Adelaide Support Groups

Pancare patient support meeting for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Time: 11am – 1pm on the third Tuesday of every month.

Location: Rotated between the Cancer Care Centre in Unley and Tennyson Centre in Kurralta Park, SA.

For more information, please contact Pancare patient support services on support@pancare.org.au .

Victoria

Melbourne Support Groups

Pancare patient support meeting for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Time: 11am – 1pm on the third Wednesday of every month.

Location: Uniting Church, 187 Burgundy St, Heidelberg, VIC.

For more information, please contact Pancare patient support services on support@pancare.org.au.

Telephone support groups

The below Telephone Support Groups (TSG) are free, professionally facilitated support groups. They are open groups and you can join in whenever you feel well enough, on an ongoing basis from anywhere in Australia.

Members are telephoned by Cancer Council so there are no costs to participate. You can be called on a landline or a mobile.

The Pancreatic Telephone Support Group meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1.30pm – 2.30pm (EST) and accepts new members at any time.

The Advanced Cancer Telephone Support Group meets the first and third Tuesday of the month from 1.30pm – 2.30pm (EST) and is for people with a variety of cancers, including pancreatic cancer.

The Carers’ Teleohone Support Group meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 1.30pm – 2.30pm (EST) and is for people caring for someone with any cancer, including pancreatic cancer.

The Life After Loss Telephone Support Group, for people whose loved one has died from cancer in the last two years. The group is led by two qualified facilitators and runs for six sessions, one hour per week.

To find out more about any of these telephone support groups, call Cancer Council NSW national referral line on 1300 755 632 or email tsg@nswcc.org.au.

This Telephone Support Group program is a collaboration between Cancer Council New South Wales, Cancer Council Victoria and Pancare.

One-on-one telephone support

Cancer Connect, run by Cancer Council is a free and confidential telephone peer support service that connects someone who has cancer with a specially trained volunteer who has had a similar cancer experience.

A Connect volunteer can listen with understanding and share their experiences and ways of coping. They can provide practical information, emotional support and hope. Many people newly diagnosed with cancer find this one-to-one support very beneficial.

For more information call Cancer Council on 13 11 20 and ask about Cancer Connect.

Professional support service

Cancer Council provides a free, confidential telephone information and support service in each state and territory.

Anyone can call Cancer Council 13 11 20 - cancer patients, people living with cancer, their families, carers and friends, teachers, students and healthcare professionals.

Specially trained staff are available to answer your questions about cancer and offer emotional or practical support.

• call 13 11 20
• local call cost from anywhere in Australia (mobile calls charged at mobile rates)
• is open between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday
  • some states have extended hours
  • some states have health professionals on staff
  • some states have multilingual services

Thank you to the incredible community of people who have helped us create and review our website information and support resources, we could not have done it without you.