Cabrini Monash Psycho-oncology Research Unit

Vision Statement

The vision statement of the Cabrini Monash Psycho-oncology Research Unit is to conduct best practice, evidence-based research, clinical interventions and education with respect and understanding. We respect the achievements of our cancer patients at Cabrini Health, who despite their enormous challenges are able to reach important goals. By respecting the people who agree to participate in our research and other activities, we learn more about what focus our efforts should take and about what really matters to the individual experiencing cancer and their families and carers. Therefore, understanding the difficulties faced by our clients is a key element of the Unit’s vision statement. The Cabrini Monash Psycho-oncology Research Unit strives to achieve real clinical research outcomes that can make a difference to people's lives. While there are many measures of the success or failure of a research unit such as ours we believe that our efforts should be measured by whether the quality of the lives of cancer patients at Cabrini Health is improved. Therefore, our ongoing aim is to conduct ethical clinical research, interventions and education with the continued collaboration of people experiencing cancer, their carers, and the Cabrini Health clinical staff.

Formation and Role of the Cabrini Monash Psycho-oncology Research Unit

The unit was formed in February 2008 with the generous support of Cabrini Institute donors and in partnership with the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University. Information about the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine’s Psycho-oncology Research Group can be found at: http://www.med.monash.edu.au/spppm/research/psycho-oncology/

What is Psycho-oncology?

Psycho-oncology, which is a specialist area in psychology research and practice, is concerned with the social and psychological reactions of patients, their families and carers at all stages of the cancer experience trajectory from screening and diagnosis through to end-of life issues. It is also concerned with how these reactions might impact on the disease process. Psycho-oncology is a multidisciplinary research enterprise with the following specialisations represented.

Clinical (surgery, medicine, paediatrics, radiotherapy)
Epidemiology
Immunology
Endocrinology
Biology
Pathology
Bioethics
Palliative rehabilitation medicine
Decision-making
Psychology
Psychiatry

The Cabrini Monash Psycho-oncology Research Team

Staff

Dr Sue Burney, PhD
Ms Jane Fletcher, BA (Soc Sci), Grad.Dip.App.Psych.

Students

Ana Micsunescu, Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), Monash University
Kelly Chipperfield, Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), Monash University
Jane Hayman, PhD, Monash University
Alex Augustine, Master of Clinical Psychology, University of Ballarat
Preetha Madhavan, Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology, Monash University
Katja Petrovic, Honours, Monash University
Ilana Kornhauser, Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology, Monash University (on placement)

Current Research Projects

PSA utility and PSA anxiety in the management of benign prostatic disease and prostate cancer

Psychological distress and supportive care needs of carers of prostate cancer and benign prostatic disease patients

Supportive care needs of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) men with prostate cancer

Informed choice in bowel cancer screening

Assessing psychological distress among cancer patients attending for chemotherapy treatment

Projects under Development

An audit of information provided to cancer patients and their carers at Cabrini Health

An examination of the psychosocial issues associated with long-term survivorship of colorectal cancer patients and their families

Development and evaluation of an end of treatment program for breast cancer patients

Advancing knowledge and clinical practice to improve health outcomes for people diagnosed with colorectal cancer (In collaboration with Deakin University)

Resources for People with Cancer

Lifeline 13 11 14
Australia-wide 24-hour counselling
www.lifeline.org.au

Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20
Monday – Friday 8:30am – 8pm
www.cancervic.org.au

beyondblue 1300 22 46 36
Australia-wide 24-hour counselling
www.beyondblue.org.au

Mensline Australia 1300 78 99 78
Australia-wide 24-hour counselling
www.menslineaus.org.au

Crisis Support Services 1300 659 467
Australia-wide 24-hour counselling
www.crisissupport.org.au

Victorian Cancer Services Directory
http://www.cancervic.org.au/how-we-can-help/cancer_services_directory

Australian Psychological Society, Find a psychologist Service
http://www.psychology.org.au

Breast Cancer Network Australia
http://www.bcna.org.au

Cancer Australia
http://www.canceraustralia.gov.au

The Cancer Council Victoria
http://www.cancer.org.au

Prostate Cancer Foundation
http://www.prostatecancerfoundation.org

Andrology Australia
http://www.andrologyaustralia.org

Continence Foundation of Australia
http://www.contfound.org.au

Bowel Cancer Australia
http://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/bowel_cancer/

Resources for Psycho-oncology Researchers and Professionals

Clinical practice guidelines for the psychosocial care of adults with cancer
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/cp90syn.htm

The Victorian Cooperative Oncology Group (VCOG) Psycho-oncology Committee
http://www.cancervic.org.au/about-cancer/for-health-professionals/vcog-page

Psycho-oncology Co-operative Research Group
http://www.pocog.org.au

National Comprehensive Cancer Network
http://www.nccn.org/index.asp

National Health and Medical Research Council
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au

World Oncology Network
http://www.worldoncology.net/psycho.htm

International Union Against Cancer
http://www.iuac.org

Psycho-oncology journal
http://www.apos-society.org/about/journal.asp

Medbioworld
http://www.medbioworld.com

Prostate Cancer Collaboration
http://www.prostatehealth.org.au

Prostate Cancer Research Institute
http://www.pcri.org

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
http://www.aihw.gov.au

Research Unit Contact Details

If you wish to make contact with the Unit please contact

Dr. Sue Burney

Mobile +61 412778727
Fax +61 3 99032501
Email address sue.burney@med.monash.edu.au

The Unit welcomes contact and /or collaboration from researchers with similar interests, as well as prospective students.