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

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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

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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

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If you’ve been diagnosed with any type of cancer, it’s important to take note of any other symptoms that you might be experiencing elsewhere in the body. For example, having headaches, nausea or vomiting could indicate brain metastases or tumours in your brain.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Fiona Hegi-Johnson who is a Radiation Oncologist at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. She’s also a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne and specialises in treating lung and breast cancer patients.

Fiona explains how patients are usually very aware of any changes in their bodies and how they’re feeling. She stresses that any symptoms should be discussed with your oncologist and other members of your medical team, so tests can be done to see if there is disease elsewhere in the body.

She also shares with us some exciting new treatment options using stereotactic radiotherapy that can treat very small lesions without affecting the rest of the brain. This means side effects can be avoided and the prognosis for patients is greatly improved. Plus, she alludes to a number of other treatment options that she’s excited about.

Note: Dr. Hegi-Johnson updated that the overall prevalence of brain metastases ranges from 30 to 40%, varying based on the patient cohort and tumour types. The prevalence is higher in mutation-driven patients.

Additional Resources:

Congress For Patients website

https://congressforpatients.com.au/

ASCO abstract about Brain Metastases Treatments

https://meetings.asco.org/2023-asco-annual-meeting/14941?presentation=214903#214903

What is Brain Metastases?

https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/stages-of-melanoma/brain-metastases/

Diagnosis, treatment, surgery, radiation therapy, medications and so on

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-metastases/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350140

Podcast produced by East Coast Studio

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Learn about the latest research studies on different treatments for women with breast or cervical cancers from Associate Professor Dr. Yoland Antill. Some of the results of these research studies may offer you more choices when it comes to discussing treatment options with your medical professionals.

Dr. Yoland Antill is a Medical Oncologist and Cancer Genetics specialist from the Australia and New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) Research Advisory Committee. She has over 20 years of experience in oncology and cancer genetics within both the public and private sectors.

In this episode, Dr. Antill discusses in simple to understand language, the results of various research studies that were conducted into the varying treatments for both cervical and breast cancer patients. With this knowledge, you will be better equipped to discuss your own personal treatment with your medical team and ask about the various options available.

Additional Resources:

Congress For Patients website:

https://congressforpatients.com.au/

SHAPE trial on cervical cancer surgery:

https://ascopost.com/news/june-2023/simple-hysterectomy-may-be-a-safe-option-for-patients-with-early-stage-low-risk-cervical-cancer/

https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2023.41.17_suppl.LBA5511

Results from trials conducted on treatments for small node-negative HER2+ breast tumors:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371296496_Outcomes_according_to_treatment_received_for_small_node-negative_HER2_breast_tumors_in_the_Surveillance_Epidemiology_and_End_Results_SEER_database_2010-2019

Information about CDK4/6 inhibitors:

https://www.breastcancertrials.org.au/cdk-4-6-inhibitors/

Outcomes from the phase 3 SONIA trial for patients with hormone receptor-positive or negative breast cancer:

https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2023.41.17_suppl.LBA1000

Effects of ovarian ablation or suppression on breast cancer recurrence and survival:

https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/218409

Evaluation of PAM50 intrinsic sub-types and risk of recurrence in premenopausal women with early-stage HR+ breast cancer:

https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.504

Podcast produced by East Coast Studio

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What is survivorship and what does it mean for cancer patients? Is survivorship just relevant to patients after they’ve finished treatment or can it also be helpful for patients with metastatic cancer who need ongoing treatment? All of these questions and more are answered in this episode of the Congress for Patients podcast series.

In the episode, we hear from Dr. Andrea Smith and Dr. Sandy Minck. Andrea Smith is a consumer researcher and Research Fellow at the Daffodil Centre, a joint venture between the Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney.

Andrea was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic breast cancer in 2016 and talks about her experience with survivorship and how it could be improved for patients with a similar illness that still needs constant treatment.

Dr. Sandy Minck is the Congress4Patients Medical Project Lead and is passionate about patient empowerment. She talks about the five core domains of cancer survivorship and how they can be improved with better support for cancer patients who have gone through their treatment as well as those with metastatic cancers.

For example, did you know that in Australia, cancer patients have access to the GP chronic disease management plan? If you’re not aware of this, Andrea discusses it in detail, so make sure you listen.

Additional Resources:

Congress For Patients website:

https://congressforpatients.com.au/

COSA Model of Survivorship Care

https://www.cosa.org.au/about/projects/cosa-model-of-survivorship-care/

Keeping Survivorship Care Clinics From Falling Prey to the Ease of Medical Management:

https://dailynews.ascopubs.org/do/keeping-survivorship-care-clinics-falling-prey-ease-medical-management

Improved models of care for cancer survivors:

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)00306-3/fulltext

ASCO abstract focused on survivorship:

https://meetings.asco.org/2023-asco-annual-meeting/14915?presentation=214823#214823

Podcast produced by East Coast Studio

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It’s no secret that cancer patients and caregivers have been kept in the dark for too long. While there are plenty of conferences, both locally and globally, these are designed for medical professionals and researchers and not the patients themselves.

With this series of podcasts, we want to change this! We’ve created this series to be totally patient-focused so that you can learn as much as you can about your condition and the types of options that are available for your treatment.

We understand that cancer patients who are well-informed can make better decisions. This will reflect positively on their overall care and have a more positive impact on their families and caregivers.

So, join us for a series of educational and enlightening podcasts that will answer your questions and help you make more informed decisions about your illness and your journey.

Congress For Patients website with additional support resources and valuable links:

https://congressforpatients.com.au/

Podcast produced by East Coast Studio

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.