For Patients And Carers
Who Are We?
The Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG) is one of 14 Cooperative Clinical Trials Groups and was established in 2005. PoCoG is a member of the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia, and is funded by Cancer Australia and the Cancer Institute NSW.
What Do We Do?
Our goal is to improve the outcomes of patients experiencing cancer, their families and carers by conducting research.
We conduct research into the psychological (or emotional) needs of cancer patients. For example we are currently running studies about the needs of people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds (CALD). One study is exploring the unmet needs of CALD cancer patients and another is investigating how a prognosis is communicated to CALD patients with advanced cancer.
We bring together researchers, clinicians, health care professionals and consumers with an interest in psycho-oncology to exchange of ideas and skills, and to encourage the development of new research teams.
Our focus is on developing and carrying out large-scale studies that need the co-operation of a number of people/hospital sites to be successful. The aim of this research is to directly improve patient outcomes by incorporating successful interventions into standard practice. Some of these studies we will be carried out with other cancer trials groups to answer specific questions (for example, issues specifically relevant to people with lung cancer, we would work with the lung cancer trials group).
We promote and support new researchers in this area by running training workshops and other mentoring activities.
Does PoCoG Provide Counselling And Support To Patients And Carers?
PoCoG is a research organisation and as such does not provide counselling or support services. However there are many organisations that do provide these services. We have listed below some links to organisations that may be able to assist you in finding something that would suit your needs.
THE CANCER COUNCIL HELPLINE - Call 13 11 20
The Cancer Council Australia
Cancer Council Australia has general information about cancer and cancer treatment as well as links to Cancer councils in your state.
The Cancer Council NSW
http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/
This page of the Cancer Council NSW provides a list of useful resources for patients and their families. The resources include a helpline, peer support, support groups, information booklets, cancer information in other languages and more.
Other Cancer Councils
VIC: www.cancervic.org.au
WA www.cancerwa.asn.au
QLD www.qldcancer.com.au
SA www.cancersa.org.au
TAS www.cancertas.org.au
ACT www.actcancer.org
NT www.cancercouncilnt.com.au
Cancer Institute NSW
http://www.cancerinstitute.org.au/cancer_inst/patients/directory.html
Cancer Institute NSW has a section for patients and families which includes a directory of cancer support groups in NSW
Canteen
The Australian organisation for young people living with cancer.
CareSearch
CareSearch is an online resource designed to help those needing to find relevant and trustworthy information and resources about palliative care.
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
Leukaemia Foundation
http://www.leukaemia.org.au/web/carers.php
The Leukaemia Foundation has a calendar of support group meetings and educational sessions as well as other useful information for patients and carers.
National Ovarian Cancer Network (OvCa)
http://www.ovca.org.au/
Mesothelioma Cancer Resource
Mesothelioma: Hope, Support, Help
National Breast Cancer Foundation
Breast Cancer Network Australia
Advanced Breast Cancer Group
This group offers a range of services for women with advanced breast cancer, also referred to as secondary breast cancer or metastatic breast cancer, including weekly support groups , support for partners and families, an online forum , a documentary DVD entitled "You're Not Alone - a film about living with secondary breast cancer", and this web site.
Health line
Information about a variety of different cancers, including breast, lung and prostate cancers
My Parents Cancer
CareSearch End of Life Brochure Series
I Want To Become Involved In Advocating For Cancer Research
If you would like to become involved in promoting cancer research as a patient or carer and have an impact on its directions you can do this through consumer advocacy organisations. Cancer Voices Australia is a national organisation that involves patients and carers affected with cancer. It has groups in each state. There are also other groups that deal with specific cancers. Please explore the links below.
Cancer Voices Australia
If you have any suggestions of links to be included on this page please email pocog@psych.usyd.edu.au