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Leave a legacy by including a gift in your Will, starting a tribute page for a loved one, or funding a research grant for early-career cancer researchers driving clinical innovations.
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When organisations work together, we can have a greater impact for every Queenslander going through cancer and help amplify our message for all Australians.
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The importance of self-advocacy during cancer care cannot be overstated – it helps ensure your needs are met and your preferences are being respected. But we also know that taking an active role in your healthcare journey can feel hard, especially when you’re dealing with cancer.
Self-advocacy means speaking up for your needs, understanding your rights, and working confidently with your healthcare team. While everyone has different comfort levels with self-advocacy, it’s a skill you can develop with practice and support.
Our team is here to listen and support you.
Developing self-advocacy skills means taking an active role in your healthcare and feeling confident to express your needs, concerns and preferences. It’s about understanding your rights and building a partnership with your healthcare team where you can share information and learn from each other.
Building your knowledge about your condition helps you make informed decisions and communicate effectively with your healthcare team. Some ideas include:
Being involved in decisions can help you feel more in control of your own health care. It’s important to give yourself time to process information and make decisions at your own pace. Many people feel pressured to make immediate decisions about their care, but it’s perfectly reasonable to ask for time to discuss your options with family, friends or other people you trust.
You might also want to consider getting a second opinion about your treatment options as you develop yourself advocacy skills. Many people worry this will offend their doctor, but seeking another perspective is a normal part of making healthcare decisions – you don’t need to be unhappy with your current doctor to do this.
Remember that taking part in decisions about your care isn’t always easy. You might feel overwhelmed or unsure at times, and that’s completely normal. Your healthcare team understands this and is there to support you through the process.
Building strong connections with your healthcare team is an important part of your cancer treatment. Clear, open communication helps ensure your needs are understood and your preferences are respected as you work together to plan your care.
While medical settings can feel intimidating, taking an active role in appointments helps ensure your needs are met. You can try to:
Being open with your healthcare team about both your feelings and practical concerns means they can provide better support for your personal situation. Your emotional wellbeing matters just as much as your medical care, so share how you’re feeling emotionally as well as physically.
Let your healthcare team know about your family responsibilities and any worries about balancing appointments with work – this helps them to plan care that works for your life. Sharing what’s on your mind, whether it seems big or small, helps your team provide the most appropriate care and support for your specific needs.
Speaking up for yourself in medical settings isn’t always straightforward, and it’s natural to encounter some challenges along the way. You might find appointments feel rushed when you have important things to discuss – it’s perfectly fine to ask for a longer appointment time.
Medical jargon can sometimes feel like a foreign language, so don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare team to explain things in everyday terms. They use these terms every day and sometimes they might forget that they’re not natural to everyone, but they should be happy to explain them to you.
Some conversations need more privacy, and you have every right to request a private space for sensitive conversations. There’s also often a lot of information to take in – remember you can ask for written materials and build your understanding step by step.
Many people also find it helpful to bring someone they trust to appointments. They can help you remember information, process what’s being discussed, and support you in making decisions.
Being assertive about your rights doesn’t mean you’re being aggressive. You have the right to ask for and expect:
You don’t have to navigate cancer alone. Cancer nurses are available on 13 11 20 to provide information and support as you develop your self-advocacy skills.
Remember, becoming a confident self-advocate takes time. Start with small steps, practice expressing your needs, and draw on support from your healthcare team and loved ones.
Self-advocacy is a skill you can develop over time. Start by learning about your cancer and treatment options through trusted sources. Practice preparing questions before appointments and speaking up about your needs. Begin with small steps, like asking for clarification when you don’t understand something, then build up to expressing your preferences about treatment decisions. Having a support person with you can help build your confidence.
A common example of self-advocacy is asking your doctor to explain something in simpler terms when they use medical language you don’t understand. Another example is requesting a longer appointment when you know you’ll need to make important decisions or bringing someone with you to take notes. Self-advocacy might also mean telling your healthcare team about practical concerns, like how treatment timing could affect your work or family responsibilities.
Self-advocacy goes beyond simply sharing problems – it means taking an active role in your healthcare and working with your team to find solutions. When you self-advocate, you gather information, ask questions, express your preferences, and participate in decisions about your care. It’s about building a partnership with your healthcare team where you can openly discuss your needs and work together to address them.
Start by identifying what makes self-advocacy challenging for you. If medical terminology is a barrier, ask for plain language explanations. If you feel rushed, request longer appointments for important discussions. Build your confidence gradually by preparing questions in advance and bringing a support person to appointments. Remember that your healthcare team wants to hear your concerns and preferences – they’re there to support you in taking an active role in your care.
