Specialist helpline offers vital support for people affected by head and neck cancer

Article submitted by: Head and Neck Cancer Australia (Opens in new tab)

Head and Neck Cancer Australia (HANCA) is proud to have launched Australia’s first specialist head and neck cancer helpline in March. The service is free, confidential and already making a difference in the lives of patients, carers and families across Australia.

Patients and carers are supported in managing distress, anxiety and other emotional impacts.

Until now, people affected by head and neck cancer have had to navigate a complex and often confronting cancer journey, often without a single point of access to trusted and specialist guidance and support. With treatment side effects that can impact speech, swallowing and appearance, and with relatively low public awareness of the disease, many people have described feeling isolated and overwhelmed.

The Head and Neck Cancer Helpline (Opens in new tab) fills that gap, connecting people to experienced cancer nurses and a professional counsellor who understand the unique clinical, emotional and practical challenges of head and neck cancer.

Nadia Rosin, CEO of Head and Neck Cancer Australia, said, “For years, people affected by head and neck cancer have told us they felt there was a gap in support, particularly after treatment.

A free guidance and support service

The helpline is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5 pm AEDT, via phone, online chat or a simple referral form. The helpline team can provide:

• Specialist guidance: Oncology and surgical nurses offer evidence-based advice to help people understand their diagnosis, treatment options and side effects, and can connect them to information and relevant services.
• Emotional and psychological support: A trained counsellor supports patients and carers in managing distress, anxiety and other emotional impacts across the cancer journey and connects people to peer support.

The helpline is a free service available to patients, carers, families and healthcare professionals and was designed in consultation with over 300 people to ensure it meets real-world needs. Over 80% of patients and carers and 92% of clinicians surveyed said they would use or recommend the helpline once available.

The helpline was made possible thanks to funding from the Australian Government through the Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program (ACNNP) (Opens in new tab). This national program aims to ensure all people affected by cancer, regardless of tumour type and stage of diagnosis, are empowered with education, resources, and the support they need to better navigate the health system — particularly for those who may be geographically or socially disadvantaged.

With over 5,300 Australians diagnosed with head and neck cancer each year, and more than 17,000 living with the lasting effects of treatment, the helpline is already proving to be a vital lifeline. It ensures no one has to face this cancer journey alone, and helps patients, carers and clinicians feel empowered, informed, and supported every step of the way.