In this section
The Queensland Co-operative Oncology Group (QCOG), established under the auspices of Cancer Council Queensland, is open to all cancer clinical specialists in Queensland.
Its aim is to improve access and outcomes for patients with cancer in Queensland, and specifically:
- To maintain a forum for clinical specialists in cancer to promote co-operative measures to optimise cancer treatment in Queensland.
- To promote access for patients in Queensland to optimal cancer treatment by participation in multicentre clinical trials.
- To facilitate participation of clinicians in multicentre cancer clinical trials by providing data management and administrative support.
- To advise Cancer Council Queensland on clinical aspects of cancer control, including research, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and supportive care.
- To work with Cancer Council Queensland to publicly promote rapid access to cancer care facilities of the highest quality.
- To liaise with other state co-operative oncology groups to improve access and outcomes.
If you would like to be included on the QCOG membership database and receive the newsletter plus invitations to meetings please register here.
Cancer Clinical Trial Data Manager Grants
The Cancer Clinical Trial Scheme, established by Cancer Council Queensland with the support of QCOG, has provided grants to research institutes and hospitals since 2000. The grants are used to appointment data managers who participate in the initiation and conduct of cancer clinical trials.
The aim is to support participation in cancer clinical trials, in particular, prospective, national or international, collaborative multicentre, phase II and III cancer clinical trials that are not initiated or funded by industry.
The funding provided to hospitals by Cancer Council Queensland is for the sole purpose of paying salaries of clinical trial research nurses and data managers. The role of these staff is to undertake those tasks essential for the day-to-day conduct and management of cancer clinical trials, including patient screening, administrative correspondence, completion of case report forms and source data verification.
Financial support for data management grants is closely linked to demonstrated levels of clinical research activity and productivity by trial investigators, and therefore is competitive. QCOG’s management committee determines the criteria of assessment for new grants and continued funding.
Since the provision of this support by Cancer Council Queensland for clinical trial data management, there has been a marked increase in the level of clinical trial activity in hospitals that have received funds. In 2000, patient recruitment for the year in eligible trials was reported as 87 patients, a figure that has steadily increased every year. Over 1600 patients in Queensland are now enrolled in co-operative group studies.
Cancer clinical trials add to the knowledge base of cancer treatment, palliation and prevention.
Through the Cancer Clinical Trial Scheme, QCOG and Cancer Council Queensland actively support cancer research, improving cancer treatments and supporting cancer patients.
The Cancer Clinical Trial Scheme plays an important role in increasing the awareness, positive perception and funding of cancer clinical trials in Queensland.
Centres who currently receive Data Manager Grants from Cancer Council Queensland include :
- Princess Alexandra Hospital
- Radiation Oncology Services - Mater Centre
- Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
- Queensland Children's Cancer Centre
- Townsville Hospital
- Gold Coast Hospital
- Premion
- Toowoomba Regional Cancer Research Centre
- Prince Charles Hospital
- Wesley Research Institute
- Nambour Hospital
- Mater Health Services
- Cairns Base Hospital
- Haematology & Oncology Clinics of Australia (HOCA)
- Holy Spirit Northside
Special interest groups
Information about cancer clinical trials
This booklet has been prepared by QCOG members, to explain what clinical trials are, how they differ from normal treatments and why they are of value. Participation in clinical trials is voluntary and this booklet can help you to decide whether taking part in a clinical trial is the right decision for you. Email us to receive a copy or click here to download (pdf).
Newsletters
The QCOG newsletter is distributed once or twice a year. Copies of recent issues are available here:
Issue No. 16 - February 2010 (pdf)Issue No. 15 - April 2009 (pdf)
Issue No. 14 - August 2008 (pdf)
Issue No. 13 - September 2007 (pdf)
Issue No. 12 - February 2007 (pdf)
Contact
For any information concerning QCOG, please contact Heather Day via email, or call (07) 3634 5306. 