Objective: As cancer survival rates continue to increase, so will the demand for care from family and friends, particularly in more isolated settings. This study aims to examine the needs of cancer caregivers in regional and remote Australia. Methods: A total of 239 informal (i.e., non-professional) cancer caregivers (e.g., family/friends) from regional and remote Queensland, Australia, completed the Comprehensive Needs Assessment Tool for Cancer Caregivers (CNAT-C). The frequencies of individuals reporting specific needs were calculated. Logistic regression analyses assessed the association between unmet needs and demographic characteristics and cancer type. Results: The most frequently endorsed needs were lodging near hospital (77%), information about the disease (74%), and tests and treatment (74%). The most frequent unmet needs were treatment near home (37%), help with economic burden (32%), and concerns about the person being cared for (32%). Younger and female caregivers were significantly more likely to report unmet needs overall (OR = 2.12; OR = 0.58), and unmet healthcare staff needs (OR = 0.35; OR = 1.99, respectively). Unmet family and social support needs were also significantly more likely among younger caregivers (OR = 0.35). Caregivers of breast cancer patients (OR = 0.43) and older caregivers (OR = 0.53) were significantly less likely to report unmet health and psychology needs. Proportions of participants reporting needs were largely similar across demographic groups and cancer type with some exceptions. Conclusions: Caregiver health, practical issues associated with travel, and emotional strain are all areas where regional and remote caregivers require more support. Caregivers’ age and gender, time since diagnosis and patient cancer type should be considered when determining the most appropriate supportive care.

Purpose. A cancer diagnosis significantly impacts daily life, particularly for those living outside of major cities who must travel to receive cancer treatment. This study investigated the impact of cancer and travelling for treatment on the employment of rural cancer patients and their caregivers. Methods. Cancer patients staying in subsidised accommodation lodges in Queensland, and their nominated caregivers, described employment status prior to diagnosis in a structured interview. Three months later, they answered several open-ended questions about the impact of cancer and travelling for treatment on their employment. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to report and analyse responses. Results. Of 308 rural cancer patients in paid employment prediagnosis, 70 reported a change in employment postdiagnosis, with 62 of these patients no longer working. Many of those still employed postdiagnosis required extended leave, flexible working arrangements, and a gradual return to work, particularly for those experiencing ongoing treatment side effects. Of the 102 rural caregivers in paid employment prior to the patients diagnosis, 56 reported a change in employment after diagnosis, with 37 of these caregivers no longer working. Many caregivers were unable to work while at the lodge, except for those with flexible or remote work arrangements and low caregiver burden. Financial stress from loss of income and limited support in returning to work were common experiences. Conclusions. Disruptions to employment are common for people in rural areas affected by cancer. Support from employers is vital, including offering tasks that can be completed remotely or require less physical effort.

Physical activity and a healthy diet are essential for general health and wellbeing. Major life events and associated emotional responses may be the underlying determinants of physical inactivity and poor diet. To explore the effect of recently experienced major life events on physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake in Australian adults, this study used cross-sectional data (N = 658) from an online survey conducted in 2022-2023. Chi-squared test was used to assess the relationship between sociodemographic factors, the experience of a major life event in the past 14 days, and negative affect, physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake in the previous 7 days. Multivariate logistic regression examined if experiencing life events would predict the likelihood of being physically inactive and consuming insufficient amounts of fruit and vegetables. Fifty-three percent of the participants reported having experienced at least one major life event. Participants who experienced major life events were more likely to be inactive than those who did not (48.4% vs. 38.8%; p = 0.013), whereas fruit and vegetable intake was not associated with major life events or negative affect (fruit intake: 44.2% vs. 40.4%; p = 0.329, vegetable intake: 80.7% vs. 79.5%; p = 0.713). Experiencing a major life event might have an impact on physical activity, but not on fruit and vegetable intake. Future studies should consider investigating the relationship between major life events and behavioral patterns.

To investigate consumer perceptions of videos designed to facilitate participation in bowel cancer screening. In an online survey, 487 people eligible for Australia's National Bowel Cancer Screening Program were randomly assigned to view 2-3 of a possible 15 videos explaining and/or promoting participation in bowel cancer screening. They answered open text questions about which aspects of the videos they liked, disliked, and which motivated them to screen. Using content analysis, common consumer preferences and screening motivators were identified. Overall, participants liked aspects of videos that were clear, engaging, straightforward, instructional, and highlighted that the screening process was easy to do. Lengthy, unrelatable, or condescending content and a lack of instructions were disliked. Instructions and demonstrations of how to complete the screening test and highlighting the importance and benefits of early detection were identified as motivational content. Video intended to educate viewers about and facilitate participation in, bowel cancer screening should include instructions and demonstration of the screening process. They should be clear, engaging, and succinct, highlighting the overall benefits of screening. Understanding consumer preferences for the use of promotional screening videos can inform the optimisation of videos to facilitate greater participation in population bowel screening programs.