Views of breast cancer survivors needed for study

Breast cancer survivors are urged to take part in a new survey, which is aimed at better understanding the need for follow-up services and care.
Photo by iStock.

Breast cancer survivors are urged to take part in a new survey, which is aimed at better understanding the need for follow-up services and care.
Photo by iStock.

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Friday, 22 June 2012

Australian women who have survived breast cancer are being sought for a new national study that recognises the importance of what happens next.

The study, being led by University of Adelaide researchers, hopes to better understand the needs of women who have survived breast cancer, which could lead to improvements to their follow-up care.

"In Australia, the issue of follow-up is a critical issue," says study leader Dr Taryn Bessen, a Radiologist and PhD student with the University's Discipline of Public Health (School of Population Health and Clinical Practice).

"Outcomes of breast cancer treatment are improving, which is an excellent result for those women and their families affected by cancer, but it also means the pool of survivors is expanding. We need to ensure that the care needs of women are being met beyond the treatment of the breast cancer itself," Dr Bessen says.

"Clinical cancer services around Australia are facing a rapid expansion in workload through a combination of factors. With an ageing population there are increasing numbers of women in cancer-prone ages, and due to early diagnosis and improved treatment outcomes, there is a growing pool of breast cancer survivors within Australia. Given the expanding need, it is particularly important for patients to have the opportunity to shape future directions in follow-up care for breast cancer.

"This study is investigating patients' preferences for breast cancer follow-up after treatment. It will help to provide insights into what type of follow-up services women would prefer; including the value of developing 'drop-in' clinics to provide additional support; so that these can be considered in any new models of public health service provision," Dr Bessen says.

Breast cancer survivors are urged to take part in a survey either online or in hard copy, which will take about 30 minutes to complete.

The survey can be found at: http://ua.edu.au/breast-cancer-survey or contact Dr Taryn Bessen on: 08 8313 0603.

This study is supported by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Cancer Council Australia, and Cancer Voices SA.

 

Contact Details

Clinical Associate Professor Taryn Bessen
Email: taryn.bessen@adelaide.edu.au
Website: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/taryn.bessen
School of Population Health, The University of Adelaide
and Department of Medical Imaging, Royal Adelaide Hospital
Mobile: +61 (0)411 100 285


Mr David Ellis
Email: david.ellis@adelaide.edu.au
Website: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/
Deputy Director, Media and Corporate Relations
External Relations
The University of Adelaide
Business: +61 8 8313 5414
Mobile: +61 (0)421 612 762