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Join our cost of cancer focus group

Tuesday 24 March, 2020

Share your experience to help others

Cancer Council Victoria is working with Deakin University to conduct a series of online and telephone-based focus groups with people diagnosed with cancer in Victoria and their carers to learn more about their experiences in being informed about the costs of cancer care and the impact it has during and post treatment.   

The research will contribute to Cancer Council’s work to develop a strategy to inform patients about any costs associated with their cancer treatment before they start their treatment so they can make informed decisions regarding treatment pathways.

Who can participate

If in the past four years you have:

  • Been diagnosed and treated for cancer in Victoria or 
  • Cared for someone diagnosed or treated with cancer in Victoria.

Reimbursement

Participants will receive a $50 Coles/Myer voucher in recognition of their time. Those who participate in online and telephone focus groups will receive their voucher by post. 

Focus group details

The focus groups will be run by Vicki White, lead researcher, Deakin University who is experienced in conducting research with people affected by cancer.  

The focus groups will involve small-group discussions held by video or teleconference and will cover:

  • experiences of being informed about the costs of cancer care during treatment and follow-up
  • other costs associated with cancer care
  • payments or reimbursements you might have received
  • the impact of costs for you and/or your family, and
  • what you think can be done better to manage the cost of cancer care for patients and their families.

Locations and timing

Focus groups are taking place across Victoria with participants from metropolitan and regional areas between March and April. Many of the Melbourne groups have taken place already and the remaining sessions will now take place online (video and audio) or via telephone (not face-to-face). Anyone who has registered for a regional event will receive an email with information on how to register for one of the online/telephone focus groups instead. 

Remaining focus groups will be for: 

  • People who live regionally (including outer Melbourne areas) and have been treated for cancer predominantly in the public system
    • Online focus group – 30 March 2020, 10:30am to 12:45pm – Register
    • Telephone focus group – 7 April 2020, 2:00pm to 4:00pm – Register
  • People who live regionally (including outer Melbourne areas) and have been treated for cancer predominantly in the private system
    • Online focus group – 30 March 2020, 2:00pm to 4:15pm – Register
    • Telephone focus group - 8 April 2020, 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Register
  • People who live regionally (including outer Melbourne areas) and have been treated for cancer in either the public or private systems
    • Online focus group – 3 April 2020, 1:30pm to 3:45pm – Register
  • People who live anywhere in Victoria who have cared for someone treated for cancer.
    • Online focus group – 1 April 2020, 10:30am to 12:45pm – Register 

Cost of cancer in Victoria

Regardless of where people are treated, cancer treatment can be expensive. People may have to pay for medications, scans, tests, appointments with doctors. Many people may have to stop work while they have treatment, so paying for their medical care and usual life expenses can be difficult. Follow-up care may also be costly, as people may need regular appointments and tests during this time.
That's why we have a plan to improve cancer outcomes for all Victorians. Learn more.
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Due to COVID 19 (Coronavirus) we have made some changes to how we are conducting the cost of cancer research. If you have any questions please contact Alice Bastable, Engagement Lead, Cancer Council Victoria alice.bastable@cancervic.org.au

 

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