Cascade: Cope, Adapt, Survive Life after Cancer

When treatment ends…

Parents often tell us that when their child finishes treatment, they have a mix of emotions. They are relieved, but stress, fear, and anxiety can also remain. So much happens during a child’s cancer treatment – both good and bad – and it’s likely parent’s haven’t had a chance to think about how the experience has affected their lives and mental health. It’s likely that a lot has changed, and it may be difficult to adjust back to ‘normal’ life.

How can Cascade help?

The Cascade program teaches parents, guardians, and carers useful skills to manage their cancer-related concerns early in their child’s survivorship period and how to live ‘life after cancer’.

The program gives parents the opportunity to reflect on their cancer experience, identifying how it may have affected their thinking, day-to-day habits or their family members, re-evaluating their priorities, and assessing their needs and desires so that they can communicate them to the people around them. 

The activities in Cascade are based on a type of therapy called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). The idea behind CBT is that thoughts, feelings, and behaviours all combine to influence someone’s quality of life. By participating in Cascade, participants will learn how to identify and challenge any unhelpful thinking patterns that may be present and strengthen their communication and problem-solving skills. This type of therapy has been proven to improve the quality of life of carers of cancer patients.

Parents/Guardians/Carers will learn:

It will also be an opportunity to meet a small, supportive group of parents who are at a similar stage of their cancer experience.

Who is eligible for Cascade?

Parents, guardians, or carers of young cancer survivors (aged 18 years or younger) who have completed curative cancer treatment in the last 12 months.

Everyone who registers for Cascade must complete a pre-program interview with our social workers before starting the course. This is to ensure the program is right for you and will meet your needs.

What will I gain from the program?

This program aims to help you enjoy the good in life, helping you to move forward with optimism,  whilst acknowledging the challenges you may have experienced during and after your cancer experience.