3 minute read
Researcher profile
by IN-SPHERE
Dr Joanna Fardell Cancer CAG Research Fellow
Dr Joanna Fardell is a neuropsychologist with an interest in improving quality of life and survival for people of all ages impacted by cancer. Her research investigates cognitive impacts of cancer and its treatment across the lifespan, measurement of patient reported outcomes, and the development of interventions that support people living with and after cancer to engage more fully with life.
“My work sits within the CAG’s ‘living better before and after cancer’ area of focus. It’s about developing models of care that can be delivered during and after cancer treatment to ensure quality of survival. We can deliver these interventions at various levels and intensity, starting with addressing information needs through to working on individualised strategies, rehab or therapy that can support or overcome the impacts of cancer and its treatment.
“I’m currently working on ways to best assess patient-reported outcomes in paediatric oncology. Fortunately, childhood cancer is blessed with high cure rates, but thinking about what quality of survival looks like is now critical. Treatment is associated with toxicities and sideeffects, and one way to support quality of survival is by looking at what’s happening to kids during treatment, what patients and families are reporting, and then developing tailored supportive services that respond to their needs.
“The other thing I’m looking at is how to screen for cognitive symptoms during and after cancer treatment among adults and developing models of care around them. For example, when someone returns to work after cancer treatment, their manager and colleagues may not understand that they’re experiencing significant fatigue or lapses in attention or concentration. Having a good framework in place that helps the people around them understand how to manage or support that can make a real difference.
“These cognitive challenges affect a significant number of people after cancer diagnosis and treatment. We’ve now got reasonably robust evidence that around 30 per cent of survivors experience measurable impact on their cognitive function, and this can persist over time. If you think about the downstream impact on psychological wellbeing and life satisfaction, the
ramifications are significant. As a neuropsychologist, I might be biased but I think this issue is important and worthy of investigating.
“The Cancer CAG is a collaborative group with lots of different ideas and lots of sharing. As a result, there’s a unique opportunity not just to harness the intellect that exists within the CAG but to make a difference through translational research for people living with and beyond cancer.
“My role at the Cancer CAG really complements my role as Deputy Program Lead at the Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre and UNSW. My fellowship with the CAG pulls together my professional and research experience so that it spans the translational pipeline from T1 to T4 and also spans all ages impacted by cancer from children to adults.”
Joanna Fardell’s role within the Cancer CAG is supported by the Cancer Institute NSW Research Capacity Building Grant awarded to the Maridulu Budyari Gumal Cancer Clinical Academic Group.
