Help make a difference to cancer patients

Fri 14 September 2012

Professor Jane Ussher from the Centre for Health Research at the University of Western Sydney, as part of a team of leading women’s health researchers, is investigating the experience of fertility post-cancer for people with cancer and their partners.

People living with cancer, irrespective of their cancer types and stages, age groups, relationship status and cultural groups, are invited to take part in this important study.

“Fertility is an important aspect of quality of life and there is growing evidence that changes to fertility can be the most difficult long term effect of cancer diagnosis and treatment,” says Professor Ussher.

“Unfortunately, fertility is rarely addressed by health professionals and remains largely invisible within cancer policy and practice guidelines. Throughout the cancer treatment, the context of the individual’s life and whether they are considering having children is an issue that is rarely discussed or considered.

“By conducting this research, and bringing this issue to the forefront of medical debate, we will be in a better position to provide the support that people need to handle this often disastrous consequence of the cancer experience.”

If you are a person, or a partner of a person, who has or has had cancer, or a health care professional working in oncology and/or fertility, and you want to know more about the study and are willing to complete an anonymous survey, go to:

If you have questions about the study, please phone 1800 19 20 02 or email cancerandfertility@uws.edu.au

The project will be conducted within the Health Services and Outcomes Research Group at UWS, in partnership with Cancer Council New South Wales (CCNSW), National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), CanTeen, Westmead Hospital, (Centre for Gynaecological Cancer), Nepean Cancer Care Centre, and Family Planning New South Wales (FPNSW).

Source: Continence Foundation of Australia

Website: www.continence.org.au





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