Priorities and Needs of Women Living with Advanced Cancer
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Although the survival of patients with cancer has improved greatly over the past 30 years, between 2008 and 2012, a third of all patients with cancer survived less than five years. Generally, cancer research tends to focus on curative therapy, but many patients die of their cancer. These patients, not only have to cope with facing an incurable condition, but are often ‘forgotten’ or become ‘invisible’ in the context of this focus on survivorship outcomes. Many people who live with advanced cancer report a feeling of being seen negatively by society, and that they suffer from psychological, physical or financial problems for which they receive little support. Despite this, we know very little about the needs and priorities of people living with advanced cancer.
This information is essential to inform clinical decision-making to maximise the quality of the life these patients have left – for some this is only a short time yet others will live with their cancer for many years. To aim of this project is to gather qualitative and quantitative data from advanced cancer patients, their families, and their providers to identify their needs, with the eventual goal of establishing clinical tools, including patient-reported outcome measures and useful tools that can improve the end-of-life experience of these patients and their families. Working Party: Dr. Jennifer Marino (University of Melbourne), A/Prof. Michelle Peate (University of Melbourne), Janelle Leong (University of Melbourne) |
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