A Randomised Trial To Implement Systematic Distress Screening And Structured Care For Callers Using Cancer Councils' Telephone Services
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$289,279.00
Summary
Distress interferes with the ability to cope with cancer, its symptoms and treatment. Checking for distress and offering the right type of support should help reduce distress. In collaboration with state Cancer Councils, this study will test the costs and benefits of putting structured care into practice for people using Cancer Council telephone support services.
Critical Illness In Children: Can We Afford To Neglect The Psychosocial Risks? The Impact, Acceptability, And Cost-effectiveness Of Routine Psychosocial Assessment And Stepped Care For Families Of Infants With Heart Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$975,116.00
Summary
There is overwhelming evidence that children with heart disease (CHD) and their families suffer high levels of psychological stress, with consequent heightened suffering, impaired cooperation with treatment, and high financial costs. This research will produce a system-wide increase in the proportion of families of babies with CHD who have access to psychosocial care, and will reduce the proportion of parents who experience depression and anxiety. Economic impacts of CHD will also be determined.
A Nurse Led Psychosocial Intervention With Peer Support To Reduce Needs In Women Being Treated With Radiotherapy For Gynaecological Cancer: A RCT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,184,630.00
Summary
This study is to test the effectiveness of a nurse-led psychosocial intervention with peer support to reduce psychological distress, psychosocial needs, psychosexual difficulties and symptom distress and to improve quality of life and preparation for treatment of women receiving radiotherapy with curative intent for gynaecological cancer (GC) using a randomised controlled trial (RCT).
Trial Of Helpline Support For Lung Cancer Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$321,250.00
Summary
Lung cancer patients have particular need for information and support but do not initiate contact with community-based services such as the Cancer Helpline. This study will use a proactive approach to engage this group with the Helpline. It will also test electronic and telephone-based approaches to providing information and support to this very vulnerable group.
Psychosocial Aspects Of Genomic Testing For Breast Cancer Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$108,902.00
Summary
Assessing a woman’s breast cancer risk by profiling polygenic risk represents a new approach in the familial cancer setting. My study is part of a program of research that aims to facilitate translation of polygenic risk information into clinical practice. For this, I will invite 400 women to receive their personal polygenic result and i) assess interest in receiving this result; ii) assess psychological and behavioural outcomes of receiving or not receiving their personal polygenic risk result
Reducing Cancer Patients Psychosocial Needs. A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,025.00
Summary
With 345,000 cases of cancer diagnosed each year, cancer is one of the nation's health priority areas. Although significant improvements in the early detection and treatment of cancer have increased survival, these advancements may have added to the psychological, physical and resource burdens placed on patients by increasing the time between diagnosis and definitive outcome. Addressing the physical and psychological needs of cancer patients throughout the course of their illness has become an i ....With 345,000 cases of cancer diagnosed each year, cancer is one of the nation's health priority areas. Although significant improvements in the early detection and treatment of cancer have increased survival, these advancements may have added to the psychological, physical and resource burdens placed on patients by increasing the time between diagnosis and definitive outcome. Addressing the physical and psychological needs of cancer patients throughout the course of their illness has become an important component care. A potential mechanism for reducing the psychological morbidity associated with cancer is to intervene to reduce a patient's level of unmet needs. This proposal intends to test the cost-effectiveness of an innovative intervention to reduce the level of unmet needs among colorectal patients. The study involves recruiting patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer within the past 3 months through the cancer registry and assessing their level of unmet needs at four points-at entry into the study: 6-, 12- and 18- months post diagnosis. Experimental subjects will be assigned a specially trained volunteer worker attached to the cancer council to aid the patient in identifying resources to address their unmet needs. The volunteer will act as an information resource and emotional support person. The volunteer will access information about the patients unmet needs from study questionnaires, and work with patients to devise a plan for addressing their unmet needs. The study will determine whether the level of unmet needs among cancer patients can be reduced in this manner and whether this strategy also reduces psychological distress. The proposed research is unique as it could highlight mechanisms that could be utilised by all cancer councils in Australia. The intervention has the additional benefit of being able to reach all cancer patients in a particular state regardless of their geographic location or where they receive treatment.Read moreRead less
Randomised Controlled Trial Of Early Intervention To Improve Sexual And Couple Functioning After Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$601,330.00
Summary
Treatment for localised prostate cancer has a long term negative impact on the sexuality and quality of life of Australian men and their intimate partners. This study will trial a remote access couples based sexuality intervention for this patient and carer group that has potential for broader translation.
Predicting And Promoting Improved Long Term Adjustment For Men With Localised Prostate Cancer: ProsCan
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,407.00
Summary
In the western world prostate cancer is the most common male cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death. Currently, the most contentious public health issue regarding prostate cancer is uncertainty about the benefits of diagnosing and treating prostate cancer at a localised stage. Prostate cancer is heterogeneous and the risk of morbidity and mortality from localised disease is difficult to quantify owing to the cancer's relatively slow growth rate. Thus, after the diagnosis of loca ....In the western world prostate cancer is the most common male cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death. Currently, the most contentious public health issue regarding prostate cancer is uncertainty about the benefits of diagnosing and treating prostate cancer at a localised stage. Prostate cancer is heterogeneous and the risk of morbidity and mortality from localised disease is difficult to quantify owing to the cancer's relatively slow growth rate. Thus, after the diagnosis of localised prostate cancer it is recommended that all men be advised of three possible treatment options at a minimum: watchful waiting, radiation therapy, or radical prostatectomy. Most men prefer active involvement in the treatment decision, however many find this difficult due to uncertainty about the likely survival gain; significant treatment side effects and ambiguous risk probabilities for these effects. While prostate cancer is common, mortality is low with most men surviving 10 years. This means quality of life after prostate cancer is a critical issue. Survivorship concerns for this patient group include fears about cancer recurrence; managing physical effects of treatments; and social effects such as disruption to daily living. Men seek help less for psychological difficulties than do women. Accessible and well targeted support services for men are critical. This project aims to identify men who after the diagnosis of localised prostate cancer are at risk of poorer psychosocial adjustment over the long term and to assess the effectiveness of a psychosocial and decision support intervention in improving their long term outcomes. Identification of predictors of men's adjustment over time and of effective ways to promote optimal long term outcomes are important research questions that are as yet unanswered. The present research will be the first of its kind internationally to address these questions.Read moreRead less