Supportive Care

Supportive care refers to services required by those affected or impacted by cancer. It includes among other things information provision, symptom control, self-help and social support, psychological and spiritual support, rehabilitation, palliative care and bereavement care. Supportive care activities in cancer can be broadly defined by the following five categories:

• Physical needs;
• Psychological needs;
• Social needs;
• Information needs; and
• Spiritual needs.

Supportive care can be optimised through routine screening and follow-on referrals to appropriate treatment and care services. Members of the multidisciplinary team as well as family members, friends, support groups, volunteers and other community-based organisations can all play an important role in a cancer patients’ supportive care.

Benefits provided by Supportive Care for those affected by cancer include:
• A positive impact on experiences of patients by reducing levels of anxiety and depression, better managing physical symptoms and increasing patient knowledge of the disease and treatment;
• Improved medical outcomes through better adherence to treatment including faster recovery, fewer post-hospital complications, enhanced self-care and greater ability to cope with difficult treatments; and
• Enhanced decision-making, active participation and care and improved patient satisfaction with care.
Source: Department of Health, Victoria (2009): Providing optimal cancer care. Supportive care policy for Victoria.
Cancer Council Victoria – Support Services
The Cancer Council Victoria have a wealth of information on support services available to access. Please click on the following link to be taken to Cancer Council Victoria’s ‘Support Services’ page, for further information www.cancervic.org.au/how-we-can-help