Centre for Health Research

Are you a health professional working in oncology and/or fertility?

We are inviting you to participate in a study exploring fertility issues in the context of cancer.

The study is being conducted by the Centre for Health Research, University of Western Sydney (UWS), and is funded by the Australian Research Council, in partnership with The Cancer Council NSW (CCNSW), National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), CanTeen, Westmead Hospital, Nepean Hospital, and Family Planning NSW (FPNSW).

The researchers on the study are Prof Jane Ussher (UWS), A/Prof Janette Perz (UWS), Dr Emilee Gilbert (UWS), Ms Gillian Batt (CCNSW), Dr Kendra Sundquist (CCNSW), Dr Alison Butt (NBCF), Dr Pandora Patterson (CanTeen), Dr Gerard Wain (Westmead Hospital), Ms Kim Hobbs (Westmead Hospital), Dr Laura Kirsten (Nepean Hospital), Dr Cathy Mason (Nepean Hospital), Dr Edith Weisberg (FPNSW), Ms Kathryn Nattress (UWS) and Dr Tim Wong (UWS).

In helping you to decide whether or not you would like to participate in this study, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take the time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish.

What is the purpose of the study?

The purpose is to examine fertility issues and concerns for people with cancer and their partners, across a range of cancer types and ages. It will also examine the knowledge and experience of health care professionals working in cancer about these issues. This will increase knowledge of this important health concern, and lead to the development and evaluation of programs to reduce distress.

Why are you invited?

You are invited to participate in this study because you are a health care professional working in the cancer area.

Who we are looking for?

Health professionals working in oncology and/or fertility who, as part of their work, provide information, assistance, support or treatment to people with cancer and/or partners relating to fertility issues.

Do you have a choice?

Participation is voluntary so it is completely up to you. If you decide not to participate, it will not adversely affect you in any way. If you wish to withdraw from the study, you can do so at any time without having to give a reason.

What will happen on the study?

If you want to take part in this study, you are asked to complete a survey, which has questions about your professional experiences of working with people with cancer and/or their partners concerning fertility issues in the context of cancer. The survey may take about 15-30 minutes to do. The link to the survey is provided at the bottom of this page.

Alternatively, if you prefer the paper form of the survey, please contact the research team on: phone 1800 19 20 02 or cancerandfertility@uws.edu.au

Are there any benefits?

This research will provide the knowledge to understand the experiences and needs of people with cancer and their partners in the area of fertility. This knowledge will be used to develop a supportive resource that could assist people with fertility issues and concerns in the context of cancer.

Are there any risks?

Discussing issues relating to cancer and fertility can be difficult and has the potential to raise personal concerns. The researchers are particularly sensitive to this and will ensure the ethical conduct of all aspects of the research. If you were to experience discomfort or experience any strong emotions after completing the survey, please feel free to contact a member of the research team (phone: 1800 19 20 02). Alternatively, if you do not want to speak to a member of the research team, you can contact the Cancer Council Helpline (phone: 13 11 20) who can provide independent advice and counselling. 

Confidentiality/Privacy

Any identifiable information collected about you in connection with this study will be confidential and only disclosed with your permission, except as required by law. Only the named researchers and personnel attached to the study will have access to your details and results will be held securely at the University of Western Sydney. Throughout the study, everything you say or write will be strictly confidential. In publications arising from the research, all information will be summarised and no participant will be mentioned by his or her real name. 

Will taking part in this study cost me anything, and will I be paid?

Participation in this study will not cost you anything and there is no payment.

What will happen with the results?

We plan to discuss the results with the partner organisations (e.g., Cancer Council NSW, National Breast Cancer Foundation, CanTeen), which co-funded the research, in order to facilitate broader understanding of the impact of cancer on fertility. We also intend to publish the results in peer-reviewed journals, and present them at conferences or other professional forums. In any publications, information will be provided in such a way that participants cannot be identified. Findings from the study will be provided to you upon request.

Complaints

This study has been approved by the University of Western Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (UWS HREC) (Project No.H9360), Cancer Council NSW HREC (Project No.260), Family Planning NSW HREC (Project No.R2012-02) and Nepean Blue Mountain Local Health District HREC (Study 12/22-HREC/12/NEPEAN/44). If you have any concerns about the conduct of the study, or your rights as a study participant, you may contact the Ethics Committee through the Research Ethics Officer on: 02 4736 0229 orhumanethics@uws.edu.au 

Contact details

If you have some questions and would like to know more about the study or experience any problems while on the study, please contact a member of the research team on: phone 1800 19 20 02 or cancerandfertility@uws.edu.au

Consent

Participation in this study is voluntary and you’re free to withdraw from the study at any time. If you have read this information and are happy to participate in this study, please click on the button below which will take you to the survey this signifies your consent).

If you don’t agree or don’t wish to participate, simply close this page.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this study.