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Evidence and research

We use an evidence-based approach to focus on your care

The COUCH Cancer Hub aligns to best practice and an evidence-based approach to the health and wellbeing services provided. The model of care is supported by multiple frameworks and focusses on a community-based approach to care.

Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA)

Model of Survivorship Care. Cancer Survivorship: Living well with and beyond a cancer diagnosis.

Reference

Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Model of Survivorship Care Working Group. Model of Survivorship Care: Critical Components of Cancer Survivorship Care in Australia Position Statement. Clinical Oncology Society of Australia. 2016.

Cancer Australia

Principals of Cancer Survivorship.
A national framework to guide policy, planning and health system responses to cancer survivorship.

Reference

Australian Government Cancer Australia. Principals of Cancer Survivorship. 2017. https://canceraustralia.gov.au/publications-and-resources/cancer-australia-publications/principles-cancer-survivorship

Cancer Council Australia

Optimal Cancer Care Pathways.
These pathways provide an outline for the best cancer care approach for specific cancer diagnoses.

Reference

Cancer Council Australia. Optimal cancer care pathways. 2018. https://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/cancer-pathways-what-to-expect.html

American Society of Clinical Oncology

Team Based Care in Oncology.

Reference

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Presentations from the 2016 NCI-ASCO Teams in Care Care Delivery Workshop. 2016.

eviQ

Evidence-based, consensus driven cancer treatment protocols and information.

Reference

Cancer Institute NSW. NSW Government. eviQ.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Cancer Information and Resources.

Reference

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Victoria Australia.

Complementary Therapies

The complementary therapies provided at the COUCH Wellness Centre align to the evidence-based approach of integrative medicine in oncology.  We focus on the whole person, not just the cancer and therapies are provided to compliment your chosen treatment pathway.  Research has shown such therapies may assist with symptom management from the side effects of conventional treatment for cancer.

References

Lopez G., et al. The effects of oncology massage on symptom self-report for cancer patients and their caregivers. 2017.
Wyatt G., et al. Health-Related Quality-of-Life Outcomes: A Reflexology Trial With Patients With Advanced-Stage Breast Cancer. 2012.
Lu W., et al. The value of Acupuncture in Cancer Care. 2008.
Rouleau CR., et al. The impact of mindfulness-based interventions on symptom burden, positive psychological outcomes and biomarkers in cancer patients. 2015.
Cramer H., et al. Yoga for improving health-related quality of life, mental health and cancer-related symptoms in women diagnosed with breast cancer (review). 2017.
Espíndula RC., et al. Pilates and Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. 2017.

Exercise and Cancer

The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) recommends that anyone with a cancer diagnosis should participate in physical activity before, during and after cancer treatment

An accredited exercise physiologist or physiotherapist can determine the most suitable exercise program for an individual based on their cancer diagnosis, treatment plan and previous level of activity.  

COSA exercise recommendations include both aerobic and resistance-based exercises, with guidelines stating that people with cancer should aim for both:

  1. At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise per week – such as jogging, swimming or cycling, and 
  2. Two to three sessions of moderate or high-intensity resistance exercise –such as lifting weights, and these sessions should target all of your major muscle groups.

Find out more by visiting https://www.cosa.org.au/publications/position-statements/ 

Emerging evidence highlights that regular exercise before, during and/or following cancer treatment decreases the severity of other adverse side effects and is associated with reduced risk of developing new cancers and comorbid conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.

COSA