Current Research

Research Project Program

Cancer during adolescence and early adult life is one of the most under researched areas within oncology. Assumptions about the best way to manage the care of the AYA patient are based on studies conducted with other age groups and are not appropriately targeted towards the specific needs of the AYA population. This practice is assumed to be contributing the issues associated with this age group. Addressing this practice is one of the central goals of the onTrac@PeterMac program.

Over the past 3 years, the onTrac@PeterMac program has become a world leader in Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) evidence-based cancer research. The team have developed and implemented a number of world-first studies which will be able to inform both National and International AYA care.

Current Projects:

• Using emerging technologies to improve supportive care for young adults living with cancer

  Summary: Young people with cancer often experience physical and social isolation. This pilot project aims to explore the use of emerging technologies to provide supportive care for young adults affected by cancer. We do this by investigating opportunities afforded by broadband, internet and mobile telephony technologies to maintain and forge new social networks.

  Duration: one year, 2008

  Funding source: Cancer Australia

  This project is a collaboration between onTrac@PeterMac Victorian Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Service, Department of Information Systems Melbourne University, and Telstra. The working group consists of:

  • Dr David Thomas (Medical Director, onTrac@PeterMac)
  • Dr Frank Vetere (DIS, University of Melbourne)
  • Dr Hilary Davis (DIS, University of Melbourne)
  • Kate Thompson (Manager, onTrac@PeterMac)
  • Dr Penny Schofield (Senior Research Fellow, Dept of Supportive Care, Peter Mac)
  • Gavin Dyson (Research Assistant, onTrac@PeterMac)
  • Shawn Ashkanasy (DIS, University of Melbourne)
  • Jemimah Pentland (General Manager, Peter Mac Foundation)
  • Giselle Withers (Psychologist onTrac@PeterMac)

• Improving Palliative Care Services for AYA's living with cancer:
  Contact: Gayle Jones

  Summary: In collaboration with the Pain & Palliative Care department at Peter Mac, a study investigating the development and integration of model of specialist palliative care is being conducted. The project aims to explore the barriers to referring Adolescents & Young Adults living with incurable or complex disease to a specialist palliative care service. Through retrospective audits, data analysis, focus groups and interviews and new model of palliative care is under development aimed at ensuring:

  • Improve timely referrals to specialist palliative care services
  • Integration of specialist palliative care within the primary management team
  • Improved collaboration between services providing palliation to young people living with incurable disease
  • Supporting the smooth transition of young people between care settings (acute, community, home)

  Duration: 3 years

  Funding Source: Department of Health and Ageing (DOHA)

• Investigating the psychosocial impact of cancer on the adolescent & young adult cancer population:
  Contact: Susan Palmer

  Summary: This longitudinal psychosocial research project is investigating how young people cope throughout treatment and has been running for the past eighteen months. This research looks at depression, anxiety, coping and other psychosocial factors that may influence a young person's ability to comply with prolonged and intensive treatment regimes.

• Building Cancer Support groups: A facilitated peer and education based support group for adolescent and young adults living with cancer
  Contact: Kate Thompson

  Summary: This research project explores the benefits of monthly psycho educational and peer support groups for young people following cancer treatment. The six session group incorporates guest speakers and facilitated discussion amongst participants.

  Duration: 18 months

  Funding Source: Cancer Australia

• Connecting with music: Song creation for adolescent and young adults (AYA) living with cancer.
  Contact: Pip Barry

  Summary: This research project explores the use of music in a six week song creation group for young people aged between 15-25 undergoing cancer treatment.

• Development of a patient diary Contact: Kate Thompson

  Summary: In response to the needs identified by previous AYA patients, the team has developed a "Personal Journal" that has been shown in pilot studies to assist patients to maintain autonomy, increase independence during treatment and enhances the sense of control they feel they have over their cancer experience. This journal is available to all AYA patients throughout Victoria by contacting the onTrac@PeterMac team.

  Funding Source: Cancer Council Victoria

  Outcomes: Findings from these research projects are incorporated in to the daily practice of the onTrac@PeterMac clinicians and form the basis of any secondary consultations provided by the team. In an area that has little evidence to inform practice, these studies are providing valuable information about the specific wants and needs of this population group.
  Outcomes of the research studies have also been presented at bi-annual onTrac@PeterMac education and training seminars. These seminars are currently the only programs focused on AYA oncology care available in Australia. To date, these free seminars, which are open to professionals of all disciplines, have involved both National and International invited speakers who come together to share their clinical experience, research, and expertise in this specialist area.