The Role Of Individual Patient, Social Support And Treatment Centre Variables In The Psychosocial Outcomes Of Cancer Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$512,192.00
Summary
This national study, involving 20 medical oncology units, will be the first study of its kind to rigorously examine the role of individual patient (disease, demographic), social support, and treatment centre characteristics in psychosocial outcomes for cancer patients. Findings will give a bird’s eye view of which characteristics should be targeted to improve psychosocial outcomes for cancer patients.
Use Of Emergency Departments By Vulnerable Groups During Their Last Year Of Life
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
Vulnerable people in their last year of life who attend Emergency Departments (EDs) could often be better cared for elsewhere. Our severely overcrowded EDs, and the staff who work in them, are poorly equipped to provide appropriate end-of-life care. This research describes how these groups use the ED, the impact of this use upon ED services and how the provision of adequate community care may be a more appropriate and economically viable option for people at the end-of-life.
A Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomised Trial (SMART) Of Nursing Interventions To Reduce Pain Associated With Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$713,418.00
Summary
Modern chemotherapy treatments can result in damage to the peripheral nerves, resulting in a condition called peripheral neuropathy. This condition is characterised by a range of sensory and functional changes that can cause pain and reduced ability to perform daily activities. This project will test various non-pharmacological pain management measures to determine if they are effective in improving the quality of life of patients who experience this problem.
A Multi-Centre Randomised Controlled Trial To Test The Efficacy And Cost Effectiveness Of An Intervention To Reduce Carer Burden And Depression Among Caregivers Of Cancer Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$561,832.00
Summary
Given the crucial role caregivers play in a cancer patient’s recovery and illness management, caregivers are often not adequately prepared to manage the physical and emotional demands of care giving. This intervention involves developing and implementing a targeted program for caregivers, comprising screening for distress and provision of information and support, designed to reduce carer burden, improve psychosocial outcomes for caregivers and decrease unmet needs of people with cancer.
Can Exercise Delay Transition To Active Therapy In Men With Low Grade Prostate Cancer? A Multi-Centre Randomized Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,429.00
Summary
Prostate cancer overdiagnosis is associated with increased rates of overtreatment and associated morbidity. Although nearly half of Australian men diagnosed with low risk prostate cancer are managed with active surveillance there are no established recommendations for slowing disease progression and delaying transition to active treatment. The proposed study would be the first to determine the efficacy of a comprehensive exercise program during active surveillance for prostate cancer.
Patterns Of Care And Experience Of Care For Adolescents And Young Adults With Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$669,096.00
Summary
There is increasing concern, across several countries, that outcomes of care for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer are not optimal. This project aims to improve outcomes of care for AYAs with cancer by providing information about the best way to organise health services. It will do this by describing patterns of care for 700 AYA patients with cancer; providing detailed data on experiences with care for 300 patients; and conducting in-depth qualitative interviews.
Improving Sexual Health In Men With Prostate Cancer: Randomised Controlled Trial Of Exercise And Psychosexual Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,416.00
Summary
Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common and distressing side effects of prostate cancer. Despite being a critical survivorship care issue, there is a clear gap in knowledge surrounding the optimal treatment of sexual dysfunction in men with prostate cancer. This project examines whether exercise aids in the management of sexual dysfunction and explores if an integrated treatment model incorporating pharmacological, exercise and psychosexual therapies maximises improvement in sexual health.
The CRISP Trial: An RCT Of Risk Assessment And Decision Support To Implement Risk-stratified Colorectal Cancer Screening In Primary Care.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$936,641.00
Summary
There is a mismatch between people’s use of bowel cancer screening tests through faecal occult blood testing or colonoscopy and their individual risk of bowel cancer. Building on the work of our NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence (CRE) on Optimising Colorectal Cancer Screening, this trial will test the effect of an electronic risk assessment tool, implemented in general practice, on use of the most appropriate screening test for bowel cancer based on a person’s risk of developing the condition
Coping-Together: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Self-directed Coping Skills Intervention For Patients With Cancer And Their Partners
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$933,145.00
Summary
Although a cancer diagnosis and treatment have profound effects on both patients and their partners, most supportive care interventions target patients, whilst neglecting partners. To address this gap, our team is developing a Coping-Together intervention, which includes a novel, self-directed coping skills training workbook to assist couples affected by cancer manage common challenges post-diagnosis. This study will examine the efficacy of the Coping-Together intervention in decreasing couples’ ....Although a cancer diagnosis and treatment have profound effects on both patients and their partners, most supportive care interventions target patients, whilst neglecting partners. To address this gap, our team is developing a Coping-Together intervention, which includes a novel, self-directed coping skills training workbook to assist couples affected by cancer manage common challenges post-diagnosis. This study will examine the efficacy of the Coping-Together intervention in decreasing couples’ anxiety at 2, 5, 9, and 12 months post-baseline.Read moreRead less
The choice of anaesthetic agent used during cancer surgery could reduce the chances that the tumour will relapse, according to our preliminary findings. Surgery releases stress hormones and inflammatory molecules, which we have shown to increase the chance of cancer recurrence. The proposed study explores how the choice of anaesthetic agent used in cancer surgery can block the adverse effects of surgical stress, and stop cancer coming back.