At Rare Cancers Australia (RCA), we provide patients with unique support no one else does, in a way no one else does.

When a patient registers for our support, they receive a dedicated Specialist Cancer Navigator - someone to walk side by side with them and do whatever it takes to change the story of their rare cancer diagnosis.

RCA’s navigators are there to listen and to understand. As soon as they pick up each call, the wheels start turning in their minds, thinking about what could be most helpful to that person in that moment.

A diagnosis of a rare, less common or complex cancer can be confusing, scary and isolating.

Often it comes with enormous expenses too – such as accessing treatments that aren’t subsidised for small-population rare cancers, or people from rural and regional areas who are forced to travel to access specialist treatment.

In fact, about a third of people who contact us mention financial stress related to their cancer diagnosis in their first call.

“The financial toxicity of a cancer diagnosis is real, and on top of the cost of living, the pressure is immense,” said Cancer Navigation Program Lead, Jaime Macedo.

Along with financial support, our navigators provide emotional support, help people understand treatment options and navigate genomic testing, connect people with others facing similar experiences, and provide reliable information.

Our Rare Cancer Support Guide offers practical tips and advice at each stage of a cancer experience, including what to expect and questions to ask.

For Jaime, being able to provide personalised support at every stage of someone’s cancer experience is incredibly rewarding.

“Personally, I take great pride in reassuring the patient that ‘I will be here in your corner, moving forward, whenever you need me’,” he said.