For many patients, a cancer diagnosis marks the beginning of a challenging journey—one filled with medical appointments, treatments, and emotional upheaval.

While the focus is often on surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, there is a dedicated team working behind the scenes to support patients in ways that extend far beyond medical treatment.

The Cancer Care Support Team (CCST) is a group of highly trained Allied Health professionals who work alongside medical and nursing staff to help patients navigate the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis.

Comprising Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Social Workers, and Speech Pathologists, the CCST operates across Bundaberg and the Fraser Coast, ensuring that no patient has to face their journey alone.

Despite their invaluable contributions, CCST members often find that patients are unaware of their existence or forget about their services due to the overwhelming nature of an initial cancer diagnosis.

Patients are typically introduced to Allied Health services early in their journey when they are still processing life-changing news. Understandably, this can lead to information being overlooked or forgotten, leaving patients unsure of how or when to reach out for further support.

Team Leader Cancer Care Support Team Brandy Johnson said the CCST provides a broad range of support tailored to individual patient needs.

“The cancer journey is very complex with many physical and psychological challenges from diagnosis,” she said.

“The side-effects of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are many and varied.

"While the medical staff focus on the cancer itself, the CCST help to treat and manage a broad range of symptoms and outcomes of cancer treatment.”

The team provides a broad range of services including pre-treatment counselling/education as well as symptom management during and after surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

“Examples include loss of appetite and weight loss, maintaining independence with activities of daily living, maintaining strength and balance,” Brandy said.

“Our team provides practical assistance and emotional supports including advanced care planning and advocacy, assessment and treatment of psychological disorders associated with cancer, treatment and management of speech and swallowing difficulties.

“Prescription of supplements, garments for lymphoedema management, and voice prostheses/laryngectomy products to name a few.”