Stigma associated with lung cancer contributes to increased levels of distress, anxiety and depression, resulting in poorer quality of life for Australians diagnosed with the disease, according to new research being presented today ( 13 November) by Cancer Australia to the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia’s (COSA’s) Annual Scientific Meeting. [ + ]

Meals on Wheels SA (MoWSA) is collaborating with major research institutes to conduct research on how best to assist older people achieve dietary targets and improve their nutritional health and wellbeing. [ + ]

Two new cancer clinical practice guidelines will be launched this week at national cancer meetings in Adelaide. [ + ]

The inaugural National Aged Care Hospitality Award for Catering Innovation of the Year has been presented to Victorian  Aged Care contract caterers United Hospitality, along with NSW Aged Care provider the Whiddon Group. [ + ]

Over the last few months I have been hearing that a range of stakeholders have and are being consulted as to their views on what will be the best way forward for e-Health in Australia, recognising that we need e-Health to work well as a part of the larger strategic health reform response to addressing the rising cost of healthcare in the context of the ageing society. [ + ]

Jamie Stanistreet, Managing Director of Medtronic Australasia, has been awarded the inaugural medical technology industry Outstanding Achievement Award. [ + ]

The Australian Cancer Research Foundation  has granted The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute $2 million to establish a new cancer treatment centre in Brisbane. [ + ]

A new Graduate Diploma of Mammography program being offered by Charles Sturt University (CSU) aims to ease the pressures from a radiographer workforce shortage and increased demand for BreastScreen services. [ + ]

When it comes to gathering reliable patient feedback, there needs to be careful consideration on the method of collecting information, writes Professor Colin Thomson. [ + ]

Camp Quality, Australia’s major children’s cancer charity, is experiencing a severe shortage of medical volunteers, meaning children living with cancer are missing out on essential support services. [ + ]

A new approach to lung imaging is set to reduce surgery on benign nodules in the lung, according to a presentation at the World Conference on Lung Cancer in Sydney yesterday. [ + ]

As healthcare providers it is often difficult for us to view or understand clinical issues from the perspectives of healthcare consumers, their family or friends. However, the recently released National Safety and Quality in Health Care Standards and in particular Standard 3 Preventing and Controlling Healthcare Associated Infections, mandate the provision of information to and involvement of consumers in infection prevention processes and decisions1, writes Cathryn Murphy. [ + ]

[caption id="attachment_5435" align="alignright" width="200"] credit: Effy Alexakis[/caption] [ + ]

Three out of four women did not identify physical activity, healthy body weight and alcohol consumption as key factors in reducing the risk of breast cancer, according to survey results released by Cancer Australia. [ + ]

A new survey reveals Australian GPs and parents have a high level of concern about meningococcal disease and many mistakenly believe they have full protection against this potentially deadly disease.1,2 [ + ]