Women with a lived experience of cancer are uniquely placed to help other women with a cancer diagnosis to live well. Our highly trained and professional Peer Support Volunteers give you emotional support, understanding, hope and comfort. Counterpart means you are not alone. Our history
Following years of campaigning by women with breast cancer, a pilot project was funded by the Victorian Governm
ent in 2003 to create a breast cancer information and drop-in centre. Women’s Health Victoria, in partnership with consumer advocates and other women’s health services, was successful in securing the tender and BreaCan was born. Since then, BreaCan has grown into a holistic, woman-centred service that has a reputation for providing high quality and tailored peer support, evidence-based information and a range of programs, connecting women with a gynaecological or breast cancer to the support they need, when they need it. We recognise that each woman’s experiences of cancer are different, but we also know that women with cancer have many similar experiences, unique to their gender and the role of women in our society. We are a service that prides itself on listening to the voices of women living with cancer and developing responsive and relevant programs to meet their needs. Our Peer Support Volunteers have been at the core of our service since the very beginning, helping to build a high quality, professional service trusted by women with cancer and health professionals. In 2007 we extended our service to women with a gynaecological cancer. In 2022 we expanded our service to support all Victorian women affected by cancer. We also offer support for women with advanced cancer and provide peer support to women in hospital settings. Throughout our service we strive to be inclusive and to support women no matter who they are, where they live, or what cultural background they come from. In 2017, we renamed our service Counterpart - Women supporting women with cancer. Our brand reflects the trust, warmth, care and positive energy created when women connect and support each other.
