Grant enables oncology support services to cancer patients
20 January 2020
NICM Health Research Institute has secured a further grant in 2020 from the Dry July Foundation Grant Program.
The grant will see the continuation of free oncology support services for people who have, or have had cancer, to help provide relaxation and relief from cancer or treatment-related symptoms. The services will include massage, acupuncture and yoga.
The grant continues from the success of 2019’s Dry July Foundation Grant received, which provided such oncology support services to over 350 people with cancer or in remission, with over 1000 occasions of service provided by credentialed therapists at NICM HRI’s Western Sydney Integrative Health clinic on the Westmead campus.
Data collected from patients that came to seek support showed there was a mix of tumour types: lung, brain, colon, and breast. Common challenges that patients were seeking help with included pain, anxiety, sleep dysfunction and fatigue.
The feedback received from patients was very positive, with many expressing it as an essential and valuable support service, and how it contributed to their overall quality of life and wellbeing.
Dr Suzanne Grant, Integrative Oncology Senior Research Fellow at NICM Health Research Institute says the team were thrilled to be able to continue the support services to cancer patients.
“One of our goals was to empower people with cancer to be able to live healthier and more fulfilling lives during their treatment and in their recovery through helping people with their symptom and side effects burden,” said Dr Grant.
“We are so pleased with the reception we have received from patients, as well as our oncology colleagues who are proactively referring patients to us.
“Our vision is now to apply for funding to expand these services into education sessions on diet and lifestyle,” she said.
To find out more about the oncology support services available or to check your eligibility contact Dr Grant and her team on email at wsih@westernsydney.edu.au
