Fighting cancer can be the loneliest journey in the world – especially for patients in the outback.
But cancer patients living in Queensland’s furthest corners are now able to participate in potentially ground-breaking clinical trials of new therapies thanks to teletrials.
Jacqualine Poole, 53, lives in the tiny town of Aramac, 127km from Longreach, with a population of just 372. She was diagnosed with advanced endometrial cancer and was making a 12-hour journey for chemotherapy every two-and-a-half weeks.
She saw a poster about the MedCan 3 teletrial, which is investigating the use of medicinal cannabis to ease cancer-related symptoms.
Ms Poole has now completed the trial and says the experience was “life-changing”. “Before the trial, I was a walking zombie,” Ms Poole says “I couldn’t hold a conversation. Then suddenly, I could. It took the edge off the sickness and made me so much more comfortable. I felt cognitively better with so much less brain fog.”
MedCan 3, coordinated by Mater Palliative and Supportive Care Research under the leadership of Professor Phillip Good, and facilitated by the Queensland Regional Clinical Trial Coordinating Centre, is exploring the effectiveness of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) oil to manage symptoms such as pain, nausea and appetite loss in cancer patients.
Prof Good said palliative care patients can experience a range of distressing symptoms, and those living in rural and regional areas have fewer options for generalist and specialist healthcare services.
“The teletrial methodology will close this equity and access gap and enable all Queenslanders to benefit from innovative healthcare options and novel treatments” Prof Good says.
Australian Teletrial Program Director Charlie Moore says teletrial clusters have been established nationwide across all medical specialties, with over 2,000 regional, rural and remote patients now taking part in teletrials.
“88 per cent of clinical trial sites are located in cities, meaning patients living outside of metropolitan areas have to travel long distances to receive much needed care,” Mr Moore says.
“This comes at a financial cost for the patient, exerts a mental burden on them and their families, and limits the areas where clinicians interested in medical research can work. Any help we can give in reducing the number of people travelling huge distances for healthcare needs or not receiving care at all because it’s just too far to go, will benefit not only the patients and their families, but the whole community and local healthcare services.”
