Supporting cancer research

With one out of every eight Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer, there’s never been a more important time to support research into better patient outcomes.

While breast cancer survival rates have improved, a diagnosis brings enormous emotional upheaval for patients and their loved ones, which is where Blush Cancer Care and its partnership with the University of Southern Queensland makes a real difference.

Blush Cancer Care relies on donations to fund its vital work. In turn, they invest in research that links back to their outreach programs.

The need for Blush Cancer Care was driven by a lack of specific breast care support services in the Toowoomba and Darling Downs region. Dr Sharyn Donaldson, founder and Chair of Blush Cancer Care, says the organisation is focused on supporting patients from their diagnosis, through treatment, and beyond.

“There wasn’t any support (in the region) for advanced breast cancer,” Dr Donaldson explains.

“Basically, there were quite a few different groups that needed specific care and support that wasn’t available.”

Blush provides newly diagnosed patients with a care package, including iPads loaded with educational resources for use in hospital and during chemotherapy visits. Patient appointment diaries are another powerful tool they have developed.

Of Blush’s partnership with UniSQ, Dr Donaldson says that staying across new advances in research is vital.

“It’s such an evolving area and we need to be up to date,” she says.

“Our focus is always that the patient is number one, but you’ve also got to think about outcomes for patients beyond what we’re seeing now. In four or five years, it might be a very different milieu, and it’s researchers who are going to be ahead of that change.”

The supported UniSQ research informs two specific programs: an exercise intervention initiative, in partnership with FitLab and St. Andrews Hospital; and access to a psychologist for Blush’s Advanced Breast Cancer group. Dr Donaldson says the organisation’s connection with UniSQ strengthens and benefits both partners.

“Firstly, I think patients like being part of cancer research,” she says.

“They feel it validates the program and that they’re giving something back. Secondly, people who are interested in donating to Blush really like to know you’re using the most evidence-based interventions that are relevant to patients. It’s about making sure that every cent raised is spent wisely.”