Mesothelioma can affect every aspect of your life, and create practical and financial issues. There are many sources of support and information to help you, your family and carers navigate all stages of the cancer experience.
Learn more about:
Overview
The availability of services may vary depending on where you live, and some services will be free but others might have a cost.
To find good sources of support and information, you can talk to the social worker or nurse at your hospital or treatment centre, or get in touch with Cancer Council 13 11 20.
Mesothelioma support in Australia
| New South Wales | |
| Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia (ADFA) | 1800 006 196 adfa.org.au |
| Asbestos Diseases Research Institute (ADRI) | 02 9767 9800 adri.org.au |
| Queensland | |
| Asbestosis and Mesothelioma Association of Australia (AMAA) | 1800 017 758 asbestosassociation.com.au |
| Asbestos Disease Support Society (ADSS) | 1800 776 412 adss.org.au |
| South Australia | |
| Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia (ADSSA) | 1800 157 540 or 08 8241 7297 adssa-inc.com.au |
| Asbestos Victims Association of South Australia (AVA) | 08 8212 6008 avasa.asn.au |
| Tasmania | |
| Asbestos Free Tasmania Foundation | asbestosfreetasmania.org.au |
| Victoria | |
| Asbestos Council of Victoria (ACV) Gippsland Asbestos Related Diseases Support (GARDS) | 03 5127 7744 gards.org |
| Western Australia | |
| Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia (ADSA) | 1800 646 690 asbestosdiseases.org.au |
| Reflections | 1800 031 731 reflections.org.au |
Other useful websites
You can find many useful resources online, but not all websites are reliable. These websites are good sources of support and information.
| Australian | |
| Cancer Council Australia | cancer.org.au |
| Cancer Council Online Community | cancercouncil.com.au/OC |
| Cancer Council podcasts | cancercouncil.com.au/podcasts |
| Guides to Best Cancer Care | cancer.org.au/cancercareguides |
| Advance Care Planning Australia | advancecareplanning.org.au |
| Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency | asbestossafety.gov.au |
| Australian Mesothelioma Registry | mesothelioma-australia.com |
| Cancer Australia | canceraustralia.gov.au |
| Carer Gateway | carergateway.gov.au |
| Healthdirect Australia | healthdirect.gov.au |
| My Aged Care | myagedcare.gov.au |
| Palliative Care Australia | palliativecare.org.au |
| Patient travel assistance schemes | healthdirect.gov.au/travelling-to- your-healthcare-appointment |
| Services Australia | servicesaustralia.gov.au |
| The Australian Asbestos Network | australianasbestosnetwork.org.au |
| Young Carers Network | youngcarers.net.au |
| International | |
| American Cancer Society | cancer.org |
| Cancer Research UK | cancerresearchuk.org |
| Macmillan Cancer Support (UK) | macmillan.org.uk |
| Mesothelioma UK | mesothelioma.uk.com |
My family members don’t really understand what it’s like to have cancer thrown at you, but in my support group, I don’t feel like I have to explain.SAM
SAM
More resources
Dr Anthony Linton, Medical Oncologist, Concord Cancer Centre and Concord Repatriation General Hospital, NSW; Dr Naveed Alam, Thoracic Surgeon, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and Monash Medical Centre, VIC; Donatella Arnoldo, Consumer; Polly Baldwin, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Dr Melvin (Wee Loong) Chin, Medical Oncologist, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, WA; Prof Kwun Fong, Thoracic and Sleep Physician and Director, UQ Thoracic Research Centre, The Prince Charles Hospital, and Professor of Medicine, The University of Queensland, QLD; Vicki Hamilton OAM, Consumer and CEO, Asbestos Council of Victoria/GARDS Inc., VIC; Dr Susan Harden, Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Penny Jacomos, Social Worker, Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia, SA; Prof Brian Le, Director, Parkville Integrated Palliative Care Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Lung Cancer Support Nurses, Lung Foundation Australia; Jocelyn McLean, Mesothelioma Support Coordinator, Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, NSW; Prof David Morris, Peritonectomy Surgeon, St George Hospital and UNSW, NSW; Joanne Oates, Registered Occupational Therapist, Expert Witness in Dust Diseases, and Director, Evaluate, NSW; Chris Sheppard and Adam Barlow, RMB Lawyers.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
Need to talk?
Support services
Coping with cancer?
Speak to a qualified health professional someone who has been there, support groups & forum
Need legal and financial assistance?
Practical advice and support during and after treatment
Cancer information
Advanced cancer
Advanced cancer is when cancer has spread from its original site or has come back. Learn more.
Patient rights and responsibilities
What you can reasonably expect from your health care professionals