Medicinal CANnabis (CBD/THC) to prevent the symptoms and side effects of chemotherapy in people with advanced CANcer (CANCAN): protocol for a phase II, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Introduction: Many chemotherapy agents used to treat advanced cancer are inherently mucotoxic, causing breakdown of the gastrointestinal mucosa (gastrointestinal mucositis (GI-M)) and lead to a constellation of secondary complications including diarrhoea, malnutrition, anorexia, pain, fatigue and sleep disturbances. These symptoms are usually managed individually, leading to polypharmacy and its associated risks. The endocannabinoid system regulates numerous biological and behavioural processes associated with chemotherapy side effects, suggesting its modulation could control these symptoms.

Experiences and perspectives of colorectal cancer survivors and general practitioners on the delivery of survivorship care in general practice: a mixed methods study.

Background: Many colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors experience ongoing sequelae from their cancer treatment. Limited evidence exists regarding how CRC survivors and general practitioners (GPs) manage these sequelae in the community. This study aimed to explore the experiences and perspectives of CRC survivors and GPs on current approaches to monitoring and managing sequelae of CRC treatment.

Engineering tumor-colonizing E. coli Nissle 1917 for detection and treatment of colorectal neoplasia.

Bioengineered probiotics enable new opportunities to improve colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, prevention and treatment. Here, first, we demonstrate selective colonization of colorectal adenomas after oral delivery of probiotic E. coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) to a genetically-engineered murine model of CRC predisposition and orthotopic models of CRC.

Supportive care needs of adults living with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) at home: a qualitative content analysis.

Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are common vascular access devices inserted for adults undergoing intravenous treatment in the community setting. Individuals with a PICC report challenges understanding information and adapting to the device both practically and psychologically at home. There is a lack of research investigating the supportive care needs of individuals with a PICC to inform nursing assessment and the provision of additional supports they may require to successfully adapt to life with a PICC.

SCORE: a randomised controlled trial evaluating shared care (general practitioner and oncologist) follow-up compared to usual oncologist follow-up for survivors of colorectal cancer.

Background: SCORE is the first randomised controlled trial (RCT) to examine shared oncologist and general practitioner (GP) follow-up for survivors of colorectal cancer (CRC). SCORE aimed to show that shared care (SC) was non-inferior to usual care (UC) on the EORTC QLQ-C30 Global Health Status/Quality of Life (GHQ-QoL) scale to 12 months.

Methods: The study recruited patients from five public hospitals in Melbourne, Australia between February 2017 and May 2021.

Colorectal cancer detection and treatment with engineered probiotics.

Bioengineered probiotics enable new opportunities to improve colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, prevention and treatment strategies. Here, we demonstrate the phenomenon of selective, long-term colonization of colorectal adenomas after oral delivery of probiotic Nissle 1917 (EcN) to a genetically-engineered murine model of CRC predisposition. We show that, after oral administration, adenomas can be monitored over time by recovering EcN from stool.

Community-based Intravenous Treatment and Central Venous Access Devices: A Scoping Review of the Consumer and Caregiver Experience, Information Preferences, and Supportive Care Needs.

Purpose: Map existing research and describe the consumer/caregiver experience of community-based intravenous treatment, central venous access devices (CVADs), supportive care needs, and information preferences.

Design: Scoping review.

Methods: Five databases (Joanna Briggs Institute, Cochrane library, Emcare, Embase, and Medline) were searched.

The nature and impact of patient and public involvement in cancer prevention, screening and early detection research: A systematic review.

Patient and public involvement can produce high-quality, relevant research that better addresses the needs of patients and their families. This systematic review investigated the nature and impact of patient and public involvement in cancer prevention, screening and early detection research. Two patient representatives were involved as members of the review team.

The SCRIPT trial: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a polygenic risk score to tailor colorectal cancer screening in primary care.

Background: Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) can predict the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and target screening more precisely than current guidelines using age and family history alone. Primary care, as a far-reaching point of healthcare and routine provider of cancer screening and risk information, may be an ideal location for their widespread implementation.

Methods: This trial aims to determine whether the SCRIPT intervention results in more risk-appropriate CRC screening after 12 months in individuals attending general practice, compared with standard cancer risk reduction information.

Challenges and opportunities for using population health data to investigate cancer survivors' quality of life in Australia.

There is a recognised need for reported national data that inform health policy, health professions, and consumers about the wellbeing of Australians with cancer and other chronic conditions. International initiatives have demonstrated the viability and benefits of utilising population-based cancer registries to monitor the prevalence and trajectory of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes among people with cancer. Establishing a similar level of monitoring in Australia would require timely access to health data collected by publicly funded, population-based cancer registries, and the capacity to link this information across jurisdictions.

Consumer engagement in health care policy, research and services: A systematic review and meta-analysis of methods and effects.

To assess the effects of consumer engagement in health care policy, research and services. We updated a review published in 2006 and 2009 and revised the previous search strategies for key databases (The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; MEDLINE; EMBASE; PsycINFO; CINAHL; Web of Science) up to February 2020. Selection criteria included randomised controlled trials assessing consumer engagement in developing health care policy, research, or health services.

An RCT of a decision aid to support informed choices about taking aspirin to prevent colorectal cancer and other chronic diseases: a study protocol for the SITA (Should I Take Aspirin?) trial.

Background: Australian guidelines recommend that all people aged 50-70 years old actively consider taking daily low-dose aspirin (100-300 mg per day) for 2.5 to 5 years to reduce their risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite the change of national CRC prevention guidelines, there has been no active implementation of the guidelines into clinical practice.

Hemoglobin, Body Mass Index, and Age as Risk Factors for Paclitaxel- and Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy.

Importance: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a debilitating adverse effect of neurotoxic cancer treatments including taxanes and platinum agents. Limited knowledge exists of potential prechemotherapy factors associated with CIPN development.

Objective: To identify the association of pretreatment blood-based and clinical factors with CIPN persistence in patients who received paclitaxel or oxaliplatin.

Core outcome sets in cancer and their approaches to identifying and selecting patient-reported outcome measures: a systematic review.

Objectives: Issues arising from a lack of outcome standardisation in health research may be addressed by the use of core outcome sets (COS), which represent agreed-upon recommendations regarding what outcomes should be measured as a minimum in studies of a health condition. This review investigated the scope, outcomes, and development methods of consensus-based COS for cancer, and their approaches and criteria for selecting instruments to assess core patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

Methods: Studies that used a consensus-driven approach to develop a COS containing PROs, for use in research with cancer populations, were sought via MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, and grey literature.

A core set of patient-reported outcomes for population-based cancer survivorship research: a consensus study.

Purpose: Core outcome sets aim to improve the consistency and quality of research by providing agreed-upon recommendations regarding what outcomes should be measured as a minimum for a population and setting. This study aimed to identify a core set of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) representing the most important issues impacting on cancer survivors' long-term health, functioning, and quality of life, to inform population-based research on cancer survivorship.

Methods: In phase I, a list of 46 outcomes was generated through focus groups (n = 5) with cancer survivors (n = 40) and a review of instruments for assessing quality of life in cancer survivorship.

Medium-throughput Drug Screening of Patient-derived Organoids from Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases to Direct Personalized Therapy.

Purpose: Patients with colorectal cancer with peritoneal metastases (CRPMs) have limited treatment options and the lowest colorectal cancer survival rates. We aimed to determine whether organoid testing could help guide precision treatment for patients with CRPMs, as the clinical utility of prospective, functional drug screening including nonstandard agents is unknown.

Experimental Design: CRPM organoids (peritonoids) isolated from patients underwent parallel next-generation sequencing and medium-throughput drug panel testing to identify specific drug sensitivities for each patient.

Development of a Core Set of Patient-Reported Outcomes for Population-Based Cancer Survivorship Research: Protocol for an Australian Consensus Study.

Background: Core outcome sets seek to improve the consistency and quality of research by providing agreed-upon recommendations regarding what outcomes should be measured as a minimum for a population and setting. The problems arising from a lack of outcome standardization in population-based cancer survivorship research indicate the need for agreement on a core set of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to enhance data quality, consistency, and comparability.

Objective: This study aims to identify a core set of PROs, representing the most important issues impacting on cancer survivors' long-term health, functioning and quality of life, to inform population-based research on cancer survivorship.

The Future Colorectal Cancer Burden Attributable to Modifiable Behaviors: A Pooled Cohort Study.

Background: Previous estimates of the colorectal cancer (CRC) burden attributed to behaviors have not considered joint effects, competing risk, or population subgroup differences.

Methods: We pooled data from seven prospective Australian cohort studies (n = 367 058) and linked them to national registries to identify CRCs and deaths. We estimated the strength of the associations between behaviors and CRC risk using a parametric piecewise constant hazards model, adjusting for age, sex, study, and other behaviors.

The burden of pancreatic cancer in Australia attributable to smoking.

Objective: To estimate the burden of pancreatic cancer in Australia attributable to modifiable exposures, particularly smoking.

Design: Prospective pooled cohort study.

Setting, Participants: Seven prospective Australian study cohorts (total sample size, 365 084 adults); participant data linked to national registries to identify cases of pancreatic cancer and deaths.

Genetic editing of colonic organoids provides a molecularly distinct and orthotopic preclinical model of serrated carcinogenesis.

Objective: Serrated colorectal cancer (CRC) accounts for approximately 25% of cases and includes tumours that are among the most treatment resistant and with worst outcomes. This CRC subtype is associated with activating mutations in the mitogen-activated kinase pathway gene, , and epigenetic modifications termed the CpG Island Methylator Phenotype, leading to epigenetic silencing of key tumour suppressor genes. It is still not clear which (epi-)genetic changes are most important in neoplastic progression and we begin to address this knowledge gap herein.

Findings in young adults at colonoscopy from a hospital service database audit.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosed at <50 years is predominantly located in the distal colon and rectum. Little is known about which lesion subtypes may serve as CRC precursors in young adults. The aim of this work was to document the prevalence and histological subtype of lesions seen in patients aged <50 years, and any associated clinical features.

Raising the Awareness of Undergraduate Nurses to the Psychosocial Impact of Living with Cancer: A Consumer Engagement in Teaching Initiative.

This article reflects on the development and implementation of a consumer engagement in teaching initiative by the authors. The authors highlight the challenges of engaging undergraduate nursing students on the psychosocial aspects of living with cancer and other chronic illnesses when students have very limited personal and professional experiences to draw on. The authors discuss how they have responded to these challenges by integrating the voices of consumers into their classrooms.

Patient preferences on the integration of complementary therapy with conventional cancer care.

Aims: Complementary therapy use by patients with cancer is highly prevalent, although little is known about the optimal model of integration with conventional care. This study explored patient preferences regarding integration in an Australian context.

Methods: Cancer patients participated in focus groups conducted by an experienced facilitator.