FORUM FOSTERS DIALOGUE BETWEEN BREAST CANCER LIVED EXPERIENCE ADVOCATES, RESEARCHERS AND CLINICIANS Organised by the University of Queensland and Translational Research Institute
In October 2024, the Frazier Institute hosted an event dedicated to breast cancer advocacy and research, supported by TRI (Translational Research Institute), National Breast Cancer Foundation, PA Research Foundation, Health Translation Queensland, QUT and The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine/Frazer Institute.
The key aim of the event co-organised by Associate Professor Joy Wolfram, Group Leader, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology & School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland was to foster dialogue between breast cancer lived experience advocates (consumers), researchers, and clinicians.
Co-organiser Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes, Group Leader, Principal Research Fellow, Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland spoke to Australian Health Journal about the need to host the event and regularly engage with consumers.
Jo Maxwell, Principal Project Officer, Consumer and Community Involvement in Research Strategy and Support at The University of Queensland also spoke about the standards for consumer participation and collaboration adopted from the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2).
“IAP2 guides the researcher to structure consumer involvement all through the different stages of their research”, says Maxwell.
Associate Professor Cleola Anderiesz, Chief Executive Officer National Breast Cancer Foundation presented at the Forum and spoke to Australian Health Journal on the impact of engagement when communities, researchers and clinicians come together to hear about the latest research and discuss a future of better breast cancer care and outcomes.
The day long event was enlightening and impactful. The forum in Brisbane included a workshop focused on creating international connections between breast cancer consumers in Australia and the United States, with insights from leading breast cancer oncologists, clinicians, consumers, researchers, and community.
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How I Became an Emergency Physician
Dr Kim Hansen was initially attracted to emergency medicine because of its dynamic and chaotic environment. She enjoyed organising the chaos of the emergency department and working with a variety of patients, from newborn babies to centenarians. Dr Hansen found it fulfilling to help people get better or provide them with assistance and guidance when they couldn’t be cured. The unpredictability of the work was also part of the appeal, and she dedicated herself to developing the skills required to be a good emergency doctor.
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Metabolic health expert talks about healthy ageing
David Beard is a highly experienced Exercise Physiologist with a specialisation in metabolic health and healthy aging. He has spent over 40 years in this profession, even before exercise physiology was formally recognised as a discipline. His extensive background includes over a decade of working in aged care and a strong focus on adult health and fitness. David has authored a book on healthy aging and dedicated the last 10 to 12 years to advancing his expertise in metabolic health issues such as diabetes, weight loss, and inflammatory conditions. He is a co-owner of HFRC in Nedlands, Western Australia, where he has worked for nearly a decade.
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Success in WA pilot to observe babies showing delays in social interaction & communication development
Inklings – led by The Kids Research Institute Australia – is a program for babies aged 6-18 months whose communications skills are developing differently to expected milestones. In early 2025 it has completed the first year of a pilot program.
At the time of filming (Nov 2024), Inklings has received more then 300 enquiries across WA and started to deliver services to 160 children, with almost 60 who have completed the program.
