A Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing Intraoperative To Conventional Radiotherapy In Women With Early Beast Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$874,046.00
Summary
With the advent of breast screening in Australia many women are diagnosed with small low risk cancers that can be treated with breast conserving therapy with good outcomes. Surgery and radiotherapy in this situation are used to minimise the risk of local recurrence. It is now being questioned whether we can tailor radiotherapy to suit individual patients rather than recommending the daily 6-7 weeks of standard external beam radiotherapy to all patients. This trial aims to answer this question as ....With the advent of breast screening in Australia many women are diagnosed with small low risk cancers that can be treated with breast conserving therapy with good outcomes. Surgery and radiotherapy in this situation are used to minimise the risk of local recurrence. It is now being questioned whether we can tailor radiotherapy to suit individual patients rather than recommending the daily 6-7 weeks of standard external beam radiotherapy to all patients. This trial aims to answer this question as a new device which can deliver radiotherapy intraoperatively in a single session has now been tested and proven safe to use in the breast. The main objective of this trial is to demonstrate that a single dose of radiotherapy delivered intraoperatively (IORT) gives an equivalent local control rate to standard external beam radiotherapy in women with early low risk breast cancer who are suitable for breast conserving therapy. Other objectives include comparing the two treatments with respect to; disease-free-overall survival, cosmetic outcome, patient satisfaction-preference, quality of life and cost benefit. If the study finds that IORT alone after breast conserving surgery is as effective in achieving local control as standard external beam radiotherapy, a major benefit to patients would be shorter treatment duration by avoiding the 6-7 weeks of standard radiotherapy. A reduction in the number of early breast cancer patients requiring access to standard radiotherapy would also benefit treatment centres and other cancer patients by reducing the waiting times for radiotherapy. Consumer groups have supported the concept from the beginning and there has been recent increase in level of support by originally unsupportive groups. Of great significance is this trial offers an opportunity to formally investigate the efficacy of delivering IORT in the safe confines of a clinical trial, before allowing it to become a standard treatment which is occurring in other countries.Read moreRead less
Ethnographic, Treatment, And Policy Responses To Patients Presenting For Care With Chronic Medically Unexplained Symptoms In Viet Nam: A Randomised Control Trial Of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Structured Care And Treatment As Usual
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$485,417.00
Summary
The current research will undertake a clinical trial of psychological treatments for medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) in Viet Nam. MUS have been identified as highly prevalent in Viet Nam and place a substantial burden on an under resourced health care sector. The research will help to advance international understandings of the MUS and their treatment and provide assistance to a country identified by the World Health Organisation mhGAP initiative for intensive mental health assistance.
The Role Of Trauma Related Anger And The Cycles Of Violence In Post Conflict Countries: A Follow Up Study In Timor Leste
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,618.00
Summary
Our 2004 East Timor study showed that men who suffered abuses remain angry. We will follow-up these men to see if those who remained angry were more likely to be involved in social unrest and violence. We will also find out what factors make angry men more likely to act violently. This study will provide information to help agencies assist men overcome anger to avoid future violence.
Why Do Australian Teenagers Fall Pregnant? Exploring The Antecedents Of Teenage Pregnancy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$542,100.00
Summary
Teenage pregnancy is a major health, social and economic issue for Australia. The teenage birth rate in Australia is higher than many other developed countries and of additional concern is the very high pregnancy and termination rate. Teenage pregnancy places the mother and child at greater risk of lifelong adverse outcomes. Despite research over more than 3 decades, we have only a simplistic understanding of what are likely complex mechanisms leading to early pregnancy. This is thought to be th ....Teenage pregnancy is a major health, social and economic issue for Australia. The teenage birth rate in Australia is higher than many other developed countries and of additional concern is the very high pregnancy and termination rate. Teenage pregnancy places the mother and child at greater risk of lifelong adverse outcomes. Despite research over more than 3 decades, we have only a simplistic understanding of what are likely complex mechanisms leading to early pregnancy. This is thought to be the reason for the failure of nearly all teenage pregnancy prevention efforts worldwide. In addition, there has been little study of this issue in Australian teenagers, and none in Aboriginal teenagers for whom pregnancy is more common and carries worse outcomes. This 2-stage project seeks to elucidate complex biological, psychological, and social pathways to unplanned pregnancy in the teenage years. In Phase 1, perceptions, values and beliefs will be explored in a qualitative study. Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal teenagers attending antenatal, termination and family planning clinics will be interviewed. Data from these interviews will generate new hypotheses regarding pregnancy risk in this age group. In Phase 2, 600 teenagers from schools, antenatal and termination clinics will be surveyed using computerised questionnaires. They will be asked about beliefs (identified in phase 1) and a range of other individual, family, and environmental factors identified in other studies to be risk factors for early pregnancy. Statistical analysis will be used to determine how multiple risk factors interact or combine to shape sexual and childbearing behaviour. This study will lead to new understandings of teenage pregnancy in Australia, and more effective teenage pregnancy intervention programs. Because few researchers in Australia, or elsewhere, have taken such a comprehensive approach to data collection and analysis, the results will be of international significance.Read moreRead less