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.