Two University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) PhD candidates have been recognised nationally for research improving how men live with and manage prostate cancer.
Sally Sara and Russell Briggs, from UniSQ's Cancer Survivorship Research Group, were honoured at the Australia and New Zealand Urological Nurses Society (ANZUNS) Annual Scientific Meeting.
Ms Sara, Director of Nursing at the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), received the Talbot-Crowe Award for Best Nursing Research – an award she also won in 2024.
Her PhD focuses on improving survivorship for men receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), a common treatment for high-risk prostate cancer, through a nurse-led model of care.
"Australia has one of the highest rates of prostate cancer in the world, with almost 300,000 men currently living with the disease," Ms Sara said.
"ADT can have significant physical, psychological and sexual wellbeing impacts, yet there are very few educational or psychological programs to help men manage these side effects.
"I hope the PCEssentials Survivorship Intervention developed through my research will set a new benchmark for care, providing an evidence-based, nurse-led psychoeducation program that equips men to better manage the impacts of treatment."
Ms Sara said her research was shaped by decades of clinical experience.
"I've been a nurse for almost 40 years and have seen first-hand the impact ADT can have on men's quality of life, despite its effectiveness in slowing tumour progression and prolonging survival," she said.
"With an estimated 30 to 50 per cent of men with prostate cancer receiving ADT at some stage, I was driven to improve education and tailored survivorship care."
Mr Briggs, PCFA's General Manager of Nursing Programs, was recognised with two honours at the conference, Best Paper and the Sapphire Advanced Practice Award.
His research explores men's experiences on active surveillance, challenging the assumption that this approach carries minimal burden.
"Men on active surveillance report ongoing quality-of-life and psychosocial concerns, with almost 40 per cent discontinuing surveillance in favour of curative treatment without evidence of disease progression, despite comparable survival outcomes," Mr Briggs said.
"Current protocols do not include multidisciplinary strategies that prioritise psychosocial assessment and tailored survivorship care.
"I'm developing a multidisciplinary care model, based on a best-practice survivorship framework, to guide care for men on active surveillance, improve adherence, and deliver potential health-service cost savings."
Mr Briggs said the research was driven by gaps observed in clinical practice.
"While patients receive support at diagnosis, those on active surveillance are often left to manage largely on their own, as attention shifts to men undergoing active treatment," he said.
"Receiving these national awards reinforces the importance of multidisciplinary survivorship care in improving outcomes."
PCFA CEO Anne Savage said the collaboration between PCFA and UniSQ was helping drive meaningful advances in care.
"Too many men face prostate cancer feeling unsupported, particularly during long-term treatment or monitoring," Ms Savage said.
"These projects are helping to transform survivorship and will shape the future of prostate cancer treatment in Australia, creating practical, patient-centred care models."
Mr Briggs is completing his research through the Australian Government's National Industry PhD Program under the supervision of Associate Professor Nicole Heneka (university supervisor) and Sally Sara (industry supervisor).
Delivered by Campus Plus, the program brings together universities and industry to co-design research projects in real-world settings.
UniSQ has received nine awards under the National Industry PhD Program, supporting high-quality, impactful research and industry engagement.
Learn more about partnering with UniSQ on a National Industry PhD application by contacting program coordinator Rebecca Boddington at [email protected].
