Event Topic:
Join Dr Jim Whittle (Medical Oncologist) and a panel of fantastic guest speakers to find out more about navigating some of the unique challenges faced by young adults after a brain tumour diagnosis. This session is for young adults with a brain tumour diagnosis, and also their family & friends who may be looking for ways to better support their loved one.
About the speakers:
- Host: Dr Jim Whittle, Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
- Associate Professor Kate Thompson, Program Director of the Victorian Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Service. A social worker by training, Kate is renowned for her clinical, research, and advocacy work in support of young people with cancer and the development of more responsive health services for them.
- Harriet Dakis Rofe, a Clinical Psychologist working at the Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Service at Peter Mac, supporting young people throughout their cancer treatment, in particular, providing mental health support for young people with incurable and life limiting disease. She also works in private practice, working mainly with young adults, and has a range of experience within different health services.
- Jacob Bourke. Jacob lives in Tasmania and was diagnosed with medulloblastoma at the age of 19 and had to relocate to Melbourne for treatment. Jacob joined the Victorian & Tasmanian Youth Cancer Action Board in June 2021 and is passionate about improving the experience of care for young Tasmanians.
Other resources:
Our speakers made reference to various external resources, and also recommended others to us after the session. We have included links to these in the ‘Learn’ pillar of the Brain Tumours Online website, but we will also put together a summary fact-sheet soon. For now, you can find links to these resources listed below:
- Information for children, adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer (Peter Mac Cancer Centre).
- Thinking Ahead: Your guide to school, study and work (Peter Mac Cancer Centre).
- Getting to Grips with General Practice – a guide on how to engage with GPs to maximise your health and wellbeing during and after cancer (Peter Mac Cancer Centre).
- Being OK…Being You. A guide for young people who identify as LGBTIQ+ and have cancer (Peter Mac Cancer Centre).
- Can-Sleep: A guide to sleep for young people who have had cancer (Peter Mac).
- CANTEEN – an Australian not-for-profit that provides tailored support for young people aged 12-25 who are impacted by cancer.
- Cancer Council Australia or phone: 13 11 20 for a free, confidential telephone information and support service run by Cancer Councils in each state and territory.
- Headspace – Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds.
- Young Carers Network, a nationally coordinated resource to raise young carer awareness, provide information, and direct young carers to appropriate pathways for support.
- Youth Cancer Services, a national service that works with more than 25 hospitals and health services across Australia ensuring all young people with cancer have access to the best, age-appropriate care and support. Patients may be treated at a YCS in a lead hospital, or the YCS team can work with local doctors to plan and provide the best treatment for a young person wherever they are.
- Mental health treatment plans available through your GP.
- Youth Cancer Action Network and the Victorian & Tasmanian Youth Cancer Action Board (YCAB).