Bowel cancer

Current research

Referral of men newly diagnosed with colorectal or prostate cancer to a telephone-based support program

Principal Investigator(s): Trish Livingston, David Hill, Vicki White, Doreen Akkerman (CISS); Stewart Dunn (Sydney University); Liz Maunsell (Laval University, Quebec); and other collaborators.
Aim(s): To determine whether an ‘active referral' and outcall program, as part of the specialist's management plan for newly diagnosed prostate and colorectal patients, will lead to a greater and/or more rapid improvement in psychological adjustment compared to patients in the ‘passive referral' group.
Funding: NHMRC; Australian Health Management Group
Contact: Trish Livingston (cbrc@cancervic.org.au).

Publications:
Livingston P, White V, Hayman J, Hill D. How acceptable is a referral and telephone-based outcall program for men diagnosed with cancer? A feasibility study. European Journal of Cancer Care 2006; 15: 467-475.

Reducing the unmet psychosocial needs of colorectal patients: a randomised controlled trial.

Principal Investigator(s): Rob Sanson-Fisher (University of Newcastle), Victoria White, Catherine D'Este (University of Newcastle), Suzi Grogan (Cancer Information and Support Service), Christopher Doran (National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre), Michelle Macvean
Aims:

Determine the effectiveness of a tailored intervention to reduce the unmet psychosocial needs of colorectal cancer patients using a randomised controlled trial.
Conduct a cost-utility analysis by comparing costs of intervention and usual care conditions with QALYs (Quality Adjusted Life Years) of patients in each condition.
To determine how social support, treatment and demographic factors relate to levels of anxiety, depression and unmet needs among colorectal patients, and how these factors influence the outcome of the intervention.

Funding: NHMRC
Contact: Vicki White (cbrc@cancervic.org.au).

Publications:
Macvean ML, White VM, Pratt S, Grogan S, Sanson-Fisher R. Reducing the unmet needs of patients with colorectal cancer: a feasibility study of the Pathfinder Volunteer Program. Supportive Care in Cancer 2007; 15(3): 293-299.

Completed research

Testing for the early detection of bowel cancer in rural Victoria: a pilot study

Principal Investigator(s): Trish Livingston, Melanie Wakefield, Victoria White
Aim(s): The aim of this study is to gain an understanding of the reasons why people do or do not participate in the early detection of bowel cancer using FOBT and what impact general practitioner involvement may have on recruitment. We plan to assess the potential influence of demographic and personal variables on test participation and compare what changes have occurred over time.
Completed: 2004
Contact: Trish Livingston (cbrc@cancervic.org.au).

Evaluation of the Community Language Program in relation to bowel cancer screening

Principal Investigator(s): Trish Livingston, Claire Davey, Alison Peipers, Melanie Wakefield
Aim(s): The aim of this study is to assess the characteristics of people who attend information sessions run by The Cancer Council Victoria's Community Language Program and to determine whether attendance at the information sessions is associated with improvements in understanding, attitudes to bowel cancer screening and intentions to participate in bowel cancer screening using the faecal occult blood test. Particular attention will be paid to Greek and Italian speaking people who attend the information sessions.
Completed: 2004
Contact: Claire Davey (cbrc@cancervic.org.au).