VolunteerVoice A newsletter for Cancer Council NSW volunteers
Spring Edition September 2012
Volunteers and our vital research
Cancer is a term for more than 200 diseases that have different causes and methods of treatment. Cancer research focuses on improving our understanding of the different types of cancer, and developing better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat these diseases. The three types of research used to achieve these results are population studies, laboratory studies and clinical trials. Cancer Council NSW research division undertakes population research, also known as epidemiological research. Concerned with the causes and effects of disease on groups of people (populations), we are looking for the reasons that people get sick. This often leads to recommendations for ways to reduce the burden of a disease. To learn more about the research Cancer Council does, as well as further information on clinical trials, turn to Page 7 for information on our new Understanding Clinical Trials and Research booklet.
Invaluable assistance of our volunteers In the research division we are lucky enough to have incredibly dedicated volunteers, some who’ve been with us for over 5 years. Volunteers assist widely throughout the research division in literature reviewing, data entry and data ‘cleaning’, lay and foreign language translating, developing research communication material and dissemination-planning. Volunteers can also participate in research studies. In April 2012, the Cancer Research Division began conducting a new study titled the Stability Study. The aim of this study is to address the potential risks associated with blood collection and the impact this can have on the results of research studies that use these samples. For example, interruptions in transport or incorrect storage processes can have Continued on page 2
www.cancercouncil.com.au | Volunteer Hotline: (02) 9334 1773
Volunteers select research grants Did you know that volunteers help pick the research Cancer Council NSW funds every year, making sure that we keep our close connection with the community? Cancer Council allocates over $10 million in research grants each year to look into everything from better prevention to new treatments for cancer. Researchers submit grant applications to us, explaining what they wish to investigate and why it’s important. These applications are sent to two groups – a scientific panel, and a panel of trained cancer survivors and carers, known as ‘consumers’.
...volunteers help pick the research Cancer Council NSW funds every year The scientists read through the grant proposal to make sure it’s scientifically valid and will get good results. The consumers, however, have been trained to look at whether the results benefit real-world cancer patients, if the research is equitable, and how consumers were involved in the development of the research proposal. Continued on page 7
Editorial Team: Michael McGennan and Lucy Mowat. Feedback and contributions to volunteervoice@nswcc.org.au