Evaluation of the Blue Mountains Cancer Help Model: From the Perspective of Clients, Carers and Healthcare Providers

Cancer is a leading cause of the disease burden in Australia and has a major impact on individuals, families and the healthcare system. Cancer control is a national health priority area. With an ageing population and increasing rates of cancer diagnosis and survival, it is important that affordable, effective and safe cancer care and ongoing support is accessible to all Australians who need it. Blue Mountains Cancer Help is a not-for-profit, community-based cancer support service based in Katoomba, New South Wales. There has been little research and there are few published papers on community-based cancer support services. This consumer-led project provided an opportunity to investigate the contribution of such a service to the wellbeing of people living with cancer and their families, and to identify unmet needs and service gaps in the region.