A new lifeline for liver cancer patients
October is Liver Cancer Awareness Month, and the Liver Foundation has launched a free, nurse-led support line dedicated to primary liver cancer. The service provides no-cost access to expert guidance and compassionate care, offering patients and their loved ones a trusted space to seek information, reassurance, and practical support.
Why a dedicated line matters
Patients with liver cancer are often treated outside traditional cancer centres, which can limit access to the broader support networks that other cancers receive. The Liver Foundation emphasizes that this new helpline helps bridge that gap, ensuring people in regional or remote communities, those with limited English proficiency, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can obtain timely advice in a respectful, non-judgmental setting.
What the service offers
Staffed by friendly nurses who are experts in primary liver cancer and underlying liver diseases, the line is designed to address fears, answer pressing questions, and provide guidance on next steps. The nurses can explain treatment options, discuss symptom management, and help patients navigate the healthcare system to access necessary services.
Accessibility and inclusivity
Accessibility is a central focus of the program. The Liver Foundation notes that the team is prepared to work through translators, including TIS National, and Auslan interpreters when needed. This commitment helps ensure that language barriers do not prevent people from receiving essential support and information about their condition.
Who benefits
In Australia, more than 3,000 people are diagnosed with primary liver cancer each year. Survival rates remain challenging, with only about one in five patients living beyond five years. Hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form, is among the fastest-growing causes of cancer-related deaths in the country. By offering a dedicated nurse-led line, the Liver Foundation aims to provide not just medical information, but emotional support that can make a real difference during a difficult journey.
How to access the support line
The nurse-led support line for primary liver cancer is available at 1800 841 118 from 8 am–6 pm (AEST). The service is free, and callers can expect attentive, non-judgmental listening, clear explanations, and help in planning the next steps in care. The team is also equipped to help families and carers cope with the challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis.
What patients and families can expect
Beyond clinical information, the line offers reassurance and a path toward practical resources. Callers can discuss concerns about prognosis, treatment options (such as surgery, ablation, or systemic therapies), and how underlying liver diseases may influence treatment decisions. The nurses can also guide patients toward supportive services, clinical trials where appropriate, and tips for managing symptoms and side effects at home.
A commitment to ongoing support
Launching this line during Liver Cancer Awareness Month signals a broader commitment to ongoing patient-centered care. The Liver Foundation envisions the service as a pillar of support that complements medical treatment, helping patients feel heard and understood at every stage of their journey. As awareness grows, the hope is that more communities will gain access to this essential resource and the tailored guidance it provides.
Join the conversation
For patients, families, and caregivers facing primary liver cancer, this new nurse-led support line represents a chapter of hope. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to navigate the complexities of liver cancer alone. The Liver Foundation invites those affected to reach out, ask questions, and lean on a team that prioritizes dignity, empathy, and expert information.
