I am a Psycho-Oncologist who develops strategies to support decision-making in cancer care, and who explores psychosocial predictors of the development and outcome of disease.
An Exploration Of The Nature And Meaning Of Informal Communities In Cancer Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,745.00
Summary
The interactions that occur in cancer treatment with other patients, family members and staff are often unavoidable. Recent research examining patient's interactions has demonstrated the importance of these communications, as social support, a forum to exchange information and ideas, and a gathering of people facing the same challenges. This study aims to examine the role of these interactions between patients, staff and family members to explore the purposes and effects of these interactions.
Supportive Care In The Digital Age: Harnessing New Technologies To Improve Adjustment To Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,003.00
Summary
Cancer survivors consider talking to someone who has been through a similar experience to be an important part of ideal cancer care. With everday use of the internet increasing, this study will test if an online one-to-one peer support program leads to benefits for haematological cancer survivors. If effective, it would improve access to peer support services among survivors in rural and remote regions, and could be adapted to other cancer types and health conditions.
Psychosocial Predictors Of Developing Breast Cancer In Women From High Risk Breast Cancer Families
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,109,214.00
Summary
Over the past 20 years, studies have highlighted the possible roles of stressful life events and distress, possibly mediated by social support and personality, in causing or speeding up the development of breast cancer. This possibility is of strong concern to consumers. To date, there have been few well designed, prospective studies of this issue. Furthermore, no previous studies have specifically targeted women at increased risk because of their family history. In recent years, it has become p ....Over the past 20 years, studies have highlighted the possible roles of stressful life events and distress, possibly mediated by social support and personality, in causing or speeding up the development of breast cancer. This possibility is of strong concern to consumers. To date, there have been few well designed, prospective studies of this issue. Furthermore, no previous studies have specifically targeted women at increased risk because of their family history. In recent years, it has become possible to identify 2 breast cancer genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2). Female carriers of mutations in these genes with a strong family history have an estimated lifetime risk of between 35% and 85%. The Kathleen Cuningham Consortium for Research into Familial Breast Cancer (kConFab) was established 11 years ago to coordinate the collection of genetic, epidemiological and clinical data in Australian and New Zealand families with a dominantly inherited predisposition to breast cancer. Due to the high rate of breast cancer diagnoses in this group, and the systematic recruitment of large numbers of high risk women by kConFab, there is a unique and temporary opportunity to conduct a rigorous study to resolve this question, with sufficient numbers involved. The study is a world first, and will provide the best data to date in this area. If the study demonstrates a relationship between psychosocial factors and the development of breast cancer in women from high risk breast cancer families, subsequent identification of vulnerable individuals and the implementation of appropriate interventions may have a real impact on reducing morbidity and mortality in this population. Furthermore, the results may have implications for all women in reducing breast cancer incidence.Read moreRead less
Determinants Of The Oral Health Of Adults Entering The Third Decade Life-stage
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$201,500.00
Summary
There has been a strong investment in the oral health of Australian children and their oral health has greatly improved. However, there are a number of indications that not all the gains in child and adolescent oral health are not carried through to the next life stage, adulthood. Somewhere in the intervening years, much of the gains in oral health invested in children and adolescents are dissipated. Hence, the purpose of this proposed research is to document the nature, distribution and determi ....There has been a strong investment in the oral health of Australian children and their oral health has greatly improved. However, there are a number of indications that not all the gains in child and adolescent oral health are not carried through to the next life stage, adulthood. Somewhere in the intervening years, much of the gains in oral health invested in children and adolescents are dissipated. Hence, the purpose of this proposed research is to document the nature, distribution and determinants of oral health among South Australian 29 year olds so as to identify points of intervention to maintain Australian's improved oral health further into adulthood. The specific aims of the research are to document the oral health of a cohort of 29 year olds describe their dental life history and key proximate influences on their oral health identify significant determinants of their oral health to compare the cohort with a representative SA sample of the same age. This project will approach some 3,763 29 year old adults who participated in earlier research as 13 year olds in 1988-89. It will also compare these adults with a random sample of 557 further 29 year olds from the SA Electoral Roll. Participants will be interviewed and then dentally examined, providing a range of key outcome measures on oral health status and explanatory factors from when they were 13 years old, their dental history and circumstances as 29 year olds. The research project is expected to provide detailed documentation of the prevalence and severity of oral disease and its distribution in an adult cohort, and exploration of the dental life history and current determinants of the oral disease observed. It is anticipated that the strength of hypothesised relationships of determinants will have direct policy implications.Read moreRead less
This Fellowship will focus on psychosocial issues in cancer, empowering patients to participate in their care, and improving communication between patients and health professionals. Research aims to reduce distress in immigrant, rural, advanced and young cancer patients and reduce fear of cancer recurrence in survivors; better understand the role of stress, coping and social support in the development of breast cancer; and improve communication about prognosis and end of life issues.