The Melbourne Gynaecological Support Group

What do we do?

The Melbourne Gynaecological Cancer Support group is a face-to-face support group which provides information, fellowship, and friendship for women with any gynaecological cancer - i.e. ovarian, endometrial, cervical, vulval and vaginal - their carers and friends. Membership is free.

The Melbourne Gynaecological Cancer Support is affiliated with the Cancer Council Victoria and receives funding from the Department of Human Services and Cancer Australia.

The aims of the group are to:

• Reduce the isolation of women with gynaecological cancers and their families
• Improve patients' access to cancer-related information and decision-making
• Foster peer support
• Strengthen psychological, physical and practical support to women

Where and when do we meet?

We meet from 1.00 - 3.00 pm on the last Saturday of each month at:
BMDI House: 4-12 Blackwood Street, North Melbournem

Who are our members?

Our members are women who live across metropolitan and outer Melbourne as well as rural Victoria and are patients of a variety of public and private hospitals. Often, women are accompanied by their family members. Childcare may be organized when required.

What can you expect from the group?

All members receive a monthly newsletter which connects members and informs them of up-coming events. The resources included in the newsletters include the details of talks and workshops held by leading health and complementary medicine practitioners, self-help resources for women, and the latest news on cancer-research.

Face-to-face meetings are held on the last Saturday of each month at BMDI House in North Melbourne and are a combination of social, educational and recreational activities. The program is designed in partnership with women.

Some members are happy to just receive the newsletter only, while others choose to participate in an extensive program of free activities, including guest speakers, workshops, and day trips. All of these activities are aimed at empowering women and improving their emotional wellbeing.

Other resources available to members is a mobile library containing books aimed at improving the knowledge of cancer patients, tapes to help with anxiety issues and other materials which provide up-to-date information on treatment, prognosis and the broader personal and family life implications of cancer.

How can I become a member?

Please email Mili milica.markovic@med.monash.edu.au
Or contact Natalie 0431 825 943 or email natalie.wray@med.monash.edu.au

Otherwise, just come along to our next support group meeting!