Research Projects

Cancer research saves lives

At Cancer Council SA, we believe that no one should lose a loved one to cancer. That’s why we are committed to funding and conducting research in all aspects of cancer and improving the quality of life and survival rates for people with cancer.

Thanks to the contribution of cancer research, over the last 20 years in Australia we have seen;

• Cancer mortality rates decline by 18%.
• Cancer survival rates for some common cancers increase by as much as 36%.
• Today, almost 7 in 10 Australians will survive at least 5 years after a cancer diagnosis.
• An estimated 61,000 Australian lives saved by improvements in cancer prevention, screening and treatment.

 

PROJECT 1

CURRENTLY RECRUITING (until June 2025)
Reasonable adjustments in cancer care for people with intellectual disability: Perspectives of healthcare professionals

Flinders University and Cancer Council are currently recruiting for a study exploring the use of reasonable adjustments in cancer care for people with intellectual disability.

This study aims to explore knowledge, attitudes, current practices, and the barriers and facilitators influencing the use of reasonable adjustments.

You are eligible for this study if you are:

• Aged 18+ years old.
• Health care professional with experience in cancer care, including treating cancer clinicians such as medical and radiation oncologists, specialist oncology nurses and allied health professionals including psychologists, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, radiation therapists, and dietitians.
• Practicing anywhere in Australia.

What participation involves:

• Completion of a brief demographic questionnaire.
• A one-on-one interview (30–60 minutes) conducted via Microsoft Teams at a time convenient for you.
• $50 reimbursement for your time.
• A summary of the study findings will be shared with participants.

Your participation is entirely voluntary, and you may withdraw from the study at any time. All responses will be kept confidential.

If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact Ms Annabel Sexton: sext0062@flinders.edu.au. Supervised by Dr Jennifer Baldock: jbaldock@cancersa.org.au, t +61 8 8291 4322.
If you know anyone in your professional network that may be interested in participating, we would be grateful if you could share this opportunity with them also.

This study has been approved by Flinders University’s Human Research Ethics Committee. Project Number: 8328.

 

PROJECT 2

CURRENTLY RECRUITING
Project Advisory Group members for the project: “Co-producing cancer survivorship resources with and for people with intellectual disability”

This 2-year project is funded by a 2024 Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Survivorship Care and Collaborative Research Prioritisation grant opportunity (2040481).

Who can join?
✔ People with intellectual disability
✔ Family members or friends
✔ Support workers
✔ Service providers
✔ Health professionals

What’s involved?
🕒 4 meetings – 2 hours each
Meeting 1: Help us plan the research
Meeting 2: Look at early results and plan next steps
Meeting 3: Check if our resources are helpful
Meeting 4: Test the final resources

Group members will be reimbursed for their time and there will be an option for online or in person attendance.

Please download the Expression of Interest form here and submit by 23 May 2025.

For more information, contact Jen at Cancer Council SA.
Email: disabilityproject@cancersa.org.au
Phone: 08 8291 4322