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.
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).
Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Telephone-delivered Weight Loss Intervention For Overweight And Obese Women With Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$876,609.00
Summary
This will be the first Australian trial and one of a few internationally to evaluate a weight loss intervention, delivered via telephone, for overweight women following treatment for breast cancer. We will recruit 160 women from South-East QLD to assess weight loss outcomes, as well as improvements in quality of life, risk factors for other chronic diseases and cost-effectiveness. Results will inform the integration of weight management as part of follow-up care for women with breast cancer.
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.
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.
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
Enhancing psychosocial adaptation after temporal lobectomy surgery for control of epilepsy seizures. Preliminary data from individuals who have experienced temporal lobectomy surgery for control of epilepsy seizures suggests that (a) psychosocial adjustment problems may occur even when the neurological outcome is excellent, and (b) satisfaction with surgery/ post-surgery adjustment relates to perceived control over pre-surgery decision- making. The aim of this study is to improve pre-surgery pro ....Enhancing psychosocial adaptation after temporal lobectomy surgery for control of epilepsy seizures. Preliminary data from individuals who have experienced temporal lobectomy surgery for control of epilepsy seizures suggests that (a) psychosocial adjustment problems may occur even when the neurological outcome is excellent, and (b) satisfaction with surgery/ post-surgery adjustment relates to perceived control over pre-surgery decision- making. The aim of this study is to improve pre-surgery procedure and post-surgery support by investigating psychosocial outcomes of epilepsy surgery, and relating these to perceived and actual pre-surgery preparation, including education, counselling and social support. The results of the study will inform development of resource material for the medical profession and potential surgery clients, as well as contributing to improved understanding of the relationship between pre-surgery procedures and psychosocial outcomes.Read moreRead less
Evaluation of couple counselling: Short and long-term effectiveness. Relationship breakdown and marital distress are serious and growing problems, affecting Australian families, their health, work productivity, socio-economic well-being, and children's development. This partnership with Australia's largest provider of relationship services has potential to a strong evidence base to inform current practice, future services, and training of counsellors. The study makes important contributions to t ....Evaluation of couple counselling: Short and long-term effectiveness. Relationship breakdown and marital distress are serious and growing problems, affecting Australian families, their health, work productivity, socio-economic well-being, and children's development. This partnership with Australia's largest provider of relationship services has potential to a strong evidence base to inform current practice, future services, and training of counsellors. The study makes important contributions to the national research priorities of promoting and maintaining good health, ageing well, ageing productively, and strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric. It will inform future government policy, funding of relationship counselling services and the health and happiness of Australian families.Read moreRead less
The efficacy of a physical activity intervention in the management of psychological and physical symptoms among breast and prostate cancer patients. The vastly improved survival rates for breast and prostate cancer in recent years has resulted in an ever-increasing number of people living with a history of cancer. Treatment for cancer is often associated with negative side effects like fatigue, depression and sleep disturbance, and an overall impaired quality of life.
This project will assess ....The efficacy of a physical activity intervention in the management of psychological and physical symptoms among breast and prostate cancer patients. The vastly improved survival rates for breast and prostate cancer in recent years has resulted in an ever-increasing number of people living with a history of cancer. Treatment for cancer is often associated with negative side effects like fatigue, depression and sleep disturbance, and an overall impaired quality of life.
This project will assess the effectiveness of a physical activity program in alleviating these symptoms of treatment. The program will include regular walking and gentle resistance strength training.
The outcomes from the project will advance research by shedding light on which symptoms are most helped by physical activity, and how much activity is needed to gain these benefits.
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Smoking cessation program for smokers admitted to public hospitals. This project will implement and evaluate a multidisciplinary healthcare intervention initiated by hospital pharmacists and followed up by primary health professionals to assist smokers admitted to three Victorian tertiary public hospitals to give up smoking. This program could potentially reduce smoking-related death, illness and healthcare costs.