Projects currently recruiting

Breast Edema and Exercise Trial

Breast lymphoedema can occur following surgical treatment for breast cancer. Although it occurs in more than one third of women who report symptoms associated with lymphoedema, there have been no high quality studies on its management. Exercise programs have been shown to benefit arm lymphoedema and it is unknown whether breast lymphodema responds similarly as arm lymphoedema to treatments. This study proposes to investigate whether an exercise program can reduce the symptoms for women with breast lymphoedema.

Cancer and Fertility

Cancer can affect fertility in a number of ways. This research will examine the nature and consequences of fertility concerns for men and women with cancer and their partners across a range of cancer types, as well as the knowledge and experience of oncology health professionals. The researcher is looking for people across Australia, 18 years and over who either have, or have had, ANY type of cancer and/or their intimate partners.You can participate even if your partner does not participate and you don't have to currently be in a relationship to participate.

Treatment Of Post-Cancer Fatigue Study (TOPS Trial)

Some people have ongoing and profound lack of energy (fatigue) after finishing cancer treatment, known as post-cancer fatigue. They also often have difficulties in concentration, sleep disturbance and low mood. A management program known as the TOPS Trial (Treatment Of Post-Cancer Fatigue Study) is being run through the University of NSW Lifestyle Clinic. The purpose of the trial is to provide participants with exercise programs and psychological treatment to help manage fatigue and related symptoms after cancer treatment. This is a free trial and is delivered by accredited exercise physiologists and clinical psychologists.

Sexuality After Breast Cancer (SAB) Study

Vaginal dryness and pain during sexual activity is a common and troublesome consequence for many breast cancer survivors following treatment. This project will compare the acceptability and effectiveness of a silicone based lubricant compared with a water based lubricant used during sexual activity.

It will also use established questionnaires to evaluate the impact of symptomatic vaginal dryness and pain on quality of life and sexual function. The formal name for this project is: Silicone-based vaginal lubricant for symptomatic vaginal dryness after breast cancer treatment: a randomised trial.

This project is looking for breast cancer survivors, 18 years and over, living in Victoria who currently suffer from vaginal dryness and pain during sexual activity. Women choosing to participate in the project will be required to travel to the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne for 3 clinic visits.

lifepool

Lifepool is a new research resource for study into breast cancer and women’s health. It aims to recruit 100,000 Victorian women and will gather information on health and lifestyle, mammogram data and the health of each participant though linkage with other health databases. For lifepool participants who have been diagnosed with breast cancer or who develop breast cancer in the future, lifepool will also collect some of the left over cancer tissue from the Pathology laboratory for research. This large pool of information is vital for researchers to be able to better understand the subtle interactions between lifestyle factors, family history, the density of a woman’s breast tissue and environmental factors.

Register4 Health and Lifestyle Questionnaire

The Baseline Health & Lifestyle Questionnaire has been developed to help identify potential links between breast cancer and factors such as lifestyle and genetics.

We hope that as many Register4 members as possible complete the questionnaire which aims to help researchers investigate potential links between breast cancer and factors such as lifestyle and genetics.