The Forgotten Cancers Project: Newsletter

30 September 2014

NEWSLETTER – September 2014
Helping to build the Project
Breakthroughs can come about by a single person having a really good idea, but this is rare. Medical breakthroughs these days are hard earned and usually come from the involvement of thousands in well designed research. The Forgotten Cancers Project is well underway, but is still in its building phase, and needs to hear from many more Australians who been diagnosed with a less common cancer.
More than 40,000 Australians will be diagnosed with a less common cancer this year and many of these people could welcome the opportunity to contribute to cancer research – if only they knew about the Forgotten Cancers Project.
So everyone has been busy getting out and about letting people know about the Project.
Team members have been in the community – spreading the word. Dr Fiona Bruinsma, Research Coordinator, has been giving radio and newspaper interviews. Fiona has also spoken at the Country Women’s Association state conference and Juliet Anderson, Project Manager, has spoken to the CWA Pakenham branch. Juliet has also been joined by Lisa Hochberg and Belinda Barker talking to people about the Project at Cancer Council Relay for Life events in Mornington, Casey, Diamond Valley and Timboon, and at community health forums.
“It would be wonderful if those participating in the Forgotten Cancers Project could also help spread the word. We want to make sure that all who have been diagnosed with a rare cancer have a chance to take part,” said Dr Bruinsma.

Forgotten Cancers Project team
Juliet Anderson, Lisa Hochberg, Dr Fiona Bruinsma, Belinda Barker
Country women supporting cancer research

Each year, the Country Women’s Association of Victoria selects a worthy project as the focus of their fundraising activities. We are very grateful that in 2014, the Forgotten Cancers Project has been selected as the recipient of the CWA Thanksgiving Fund.
In July, the Birregurra Branch of the CWA hosted the 2014 Thanksgiving Dinner for the benefit of the Project. Heartfelt thanks go to the CWA members for their support.
Family focussed research

The Forgotten Cancers Project is conducting research that aims to understand the roles of genes, lifestyle and early life environment in the causes of less commonly occurring cancer.
To do this, we are collecting a broad range of health and lifestyle information from people who have been diagnosed with one of these cancers. In addition, we collect the same types of information from one of their family members.
Why do we invite family members to take part?
In scientific terms, we are conducting a case-control study. That is, we collect information from people who have been diagnosed with a disease (the cases) and compare it with information from people who are not affected by the disease (the controls). By doing this, we can try to identify any differences between the cases and the controls and see whether the differences might be associated with the development of cancer.
The Forgotten Cancers Project invites family members to act as controls because it has been shown that family controls can produce more reliable research findings. Further, the involvement of family members also allows us to explore the genetic basis of the cancers more fully. Family members play very important roles in our endeavours to understand the less common cancers.
It’s not too late
If you haven’t been able to finish your questionnaires, or send us your saliva sample, it’s not too late to do it now.
Complete questionnaires
The information you give us in the questionnaires is essential to the success of the research. Need some help? Ring 1800 068 289
Return saliva sample

The saliva sample is important as it allows us to investigate the genetics of cancer.
Need another saliva kit, or need some help? Ring 1800 068 289
1,614 are taking part but more are needed
People from across Australia are joining the Forgotten Cancers Project in increasing numbers.
A total of 1,614 people have registered, but more are needed.
Those who have been diagnosed with a less common cancer, and were 18 years or older at the time of diagnosis, can register to be part of this research.
Project participants spreading the word

Forgotten Cancers Project participant, Allison McMaster, has put her support into spreading the word about the Project.
Allison, who has been diagnosed with a rare cancer, has been sharing her story with the community to encourage others to take part.
The more people who take part, the stronger the research will be. So please help spread the word and give others the opportunity to hear about the Forgotten Cancers Project.
You can help

You can help the Forgotten Cancers Project by spreading the word, so that all those diagnosed with a less common cancer get the opportunity to take part.
We have a range of free promotional materials you can use to let your community know about the Forgotten Cancers Project. Please contact us to order materials or discuss ways that you can help promote the Project.
How?