Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer support

There is an Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer located at the Launceston General Hospital and the Mersey Community Hospital. We can help you get in contact with the Liaison Officer at your next clinic visit or you can contact the hospital.

Launceston General Hospital switchboard: 6777 6777

Mersey Community Hospital switchboard: 6478 5500

We are here to help if you are coming to the clinic to talk about your illness or treatment:

• It’s good to bring a friend or family member to support you.
• Tell us what’s important to you.
• It’s good to tell your doctor if you are planning other things that are important to you, so that these can be included in your treatment planning.
• Sometimes it will be important to have regular treatment or a few appointments in a row to get the best care.

Yarn For Life is a website for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders affected by cancer.  The Cancer Council Australia, have put together a useful summary about cancer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. This summary explains what to expect before, during and after your cancer treatment. The summary tells you about the care you should be offered. Your family and community might also find this information helpful.

You may also like to look at questions to ask your doctor, there are also guides that tell you what to expect for your type of cancer.

We can print these questions or any other information to help plan your care in the clinic.

• Factsheet: Understanding Cancer Talk
• Factsheet: What is Cancer
• Factsheet: What to Expect

The Cancer Council Tasmania Support Centres and the North West Cancer Support Centre, Burnie, offer a quiet, relaxed environment and can be used during and after your treatment.  These centres are located either in or near your local hospital, ask your Aboriginal Liaison Officer or Cancer Care Coordinator for details.