You might have heard the term integrative oncology and not understood what it actually means. Integrative oncology is where different medical professionals or specialists come together to offer patients a more holistic approach to health care. This could even include mind and body therapies such as yoga and mindfulness. Do you want to know more about holistic cancer care?

Join us in this episode as we talk to Dr Vanessa Brunelli, a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Wollongong. Vanessa has a long background in oncology nursing and talks about the holistic care of cancer patients and how this is of immense benefit to the patients themselves.

She discusses the benefits of using tools such as visualisation to control anxieties that might be common for patients who need to undergo scans and other types of medical procedures. She also talks about the importance of timing when it comes to exploring complementary therapies such as yoga, pilates, tai chi and acupuncture so that patients aren’t negatively affected.

Another important aspect that Vanessa discusses is the benefits that these complementary therapies can have for the primary carers of cancer patients.

So, if you like the concept of a more holistic approach to your cancer care or you’re a carer who could benefit from some self-care, make sure that you listen in.

Additional Resources:

Congress For Patients website:

https://congressforpatients.com.au/

ASCO abstract:

How to Make Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine a Part of Everyday Oncology Practice

Integrative Health - complementary therapies that enhance wellness for people affected by breast cancer.

Society of Integrative Oncology

SIO Practice Guidelines

Podcast produced by East Coast Studio

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a cancer patient, shared decision-making empowers you to take control of your diagnosis and how you want to be treated. Essentially, it involves collaboration with all the medical professionals you deal with to gain knowledge about your condition and the choices that you have. This puts you in control of your treatment so that you don’t feel vulnerable or powerless.

In this episode, we discuss shared decision-making from two entirely different perspectives. Caitlin Delany is a cancer patient herself and also an advocate for patients. She is the founder of CareFully, an organisation that empowers and trains healthcare professionals to deliver compassionate care. She gives us her unique insights into the importance of shared decision-making.

At the other end of the spectrum is Dr Yeh Chen Lee, a medical oncologist at the Prince of Wales Hospital, the Royal Hospital for Women and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. She discusses both the difficulties and necessity of shared decision-making and how digital tools can make this easier.

So, if you’re a cancer patient yourself, make sure that you listen to this episode to learn more about the shared decision-making process and find out about the digital tools that are available to keep you better informed.

Additional Resources:

Congress For Patients website:

https://congressforpatients.com.au/

ASCO abstract:

Shared Decision-Making in the Care of Patients with Cancer

Article:

Shared decision-making as a method of cancer care

Global Community of Care Activists

The Patient Revolution

Article:

Digital health-enabled genomics: Opportunities and challenges

Podcast produced by East Coast Studio

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you want to learn more about clinical trials, what they are and how you can take part in them? Maybe, you want to understand more about the benefits of clinical trials and whether there are any barriers to participating. Join us for an in-depth discussion on clinical trials and the current Australian initiatives.

In this episode, we talk to Dr Abhijit Pal, a staff specialist medical oncologist who works in the South Western Sydney Local Health District. Dr Pal is in the final stages of a PhD, looking at improving informed consent for early-phase clinical trials and improving the diversity of cancer clinical trials.

He discusses the importance of the relationship between patient and clinician to establish trust before considering a clinical trial. He then goes on to discuss what clinical trials are and the importance of these to develop better and more effective treatments.

This episode is a must-listen if you’re a cancer patient yourself and have been toying with the idea of taking part in a clinical trial. You’ll learn about the importance of these trials and how taking part might be as simple as having a discussion with your medical professional to see what’s available.

Additional Resources:

Congress For Patients website:

https://congressforpatients.com.au/

ASCO abstract:

ASCO: The Future of Equitable Access to Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials 101 - Where do I start?

https://cancer101.org/where-do-i-start/clinical-trials/

Clinical trials register for Australia and New Zealand

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR)

Clinical trials in the US and other countries including Australia

ClinicalTrials.gov

Precision Oncology Screening Platform Enabling Clinical Trials run by OMICO

Prospect

Australian Cancer Trials - an information service including trials that are currently recruiting

Cancer Trials Australia - a clinical trial network of 16 research organisations with patients participating in trials at Victorian hospitals

Register4 - an online community for breast cancer research participants with details of current projects allowing people to register for clinical trials

Podcast produced by East Coast Studio

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.