Cancer support program training now available
Mar 07, 2023The Get Healthy Cancer Support Program is a free NSW Government program for anyone over the age of 16 who has been diagnosed with cancer. Eligible participants work with a qualified personal health coach to support them to be physically active throughout their cancer journey.
In April 2018, the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) released a position statement on Exercise in Cancer Care, for exercise to be embedded as part of standard practice in cancer care. The Get Healthy Service (GHS) is well placed to support generally well people to be physically active through their cancer journey and in survivorship. The service has been utilised in cancer research and has been shown to be feasible and acceptable for breast cancer survivors.
Research shows that exercise has many benefits both during and after cancer treatment, including:
- Increasing energy
- Reducing fatigue
- Helping to reduce or manage the side-effects of treatment and support recovery
- Supporting mental health and wellbeing
- Reducing the risk of other health issues like diabetes and heart disease.
As part of the Get Healthy Cancer Support Program, participants will receive:
- Up to 10 free telephone health coaching sessions over 6 months
- An expert health coach to help set and achieve goals
- Coaching calls at times that suit the participant (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm)
- Support during the cancer journey to be physically active, eat healthily, reduce alcohol consumption and maintain a healthy weight
- Guidance and follow up to stay on track and maintain new habits.
Health coaches only suggest safe and effective exercise that has been recommended by the COSA.
People who are in pre-treatment or active treatment must be referred by a health professional. People who have completed all their treatment can self-refer but will be screened by the GHS health coaches to determine if a medical safety assessment is required.
Cancer services staff can refer patients to the Get Healthy Service Cancer Support Program by completing a health professional referral form (available on the Get Healthy Service website).
Training is available for LHD staff, to provide background on the program and how to refer patients.
For more information, or to book training for your team, contact Kylie Bigeni kylie.bigeni@health.nsw.gov.au (Hastings Macleay Network) or Ben McLellan benjamin.mclellan@health.nsw.gov.au (Coffs Clinical Network).Cancer support program training now available