Category Rehabilitation   Show all

  • Financial Toxicity and Quality of Life

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    Brain Cancer and the Hidden Cost Financial Toxicity and Quality of Life. A powerful graphic of a brain with symbolic financial icons—e.g., coins, receipts, stress symbols and magnifying glass over a brain cancer. The Griffith University logo features at the top.May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month Let’s talk about more than just treatment. Brain tumour survivors face a hidden toll: financial toxicity. Vector image of a man with magnifying glass looking inside a brain which has an illuminated light globe with a dollar sign. Griffith University logo bottom leftMay marks Brain Cancer Awareness Month—a time to spotlight not only the medical but also the financial and emotional toll of brain tumours.

    New honours research by Jasmine Luttrell reveals that over half of brain tumour survivors report significant financial hardship, which is closely linked to increased anxiety and reduced quality of life.

    This study, led by Prof. Tamara Ownsworth was a NHMRC funded collaboration between Griffith University, Metro South Health (Radiation Oncology) and the Cancer Council Queensland.

    Over 50% of survivors report significant financial hardship— linked to higher anxiety and lower quality of life. An infographic image to show "50%" visually, with 5/10 figures shaded. And a woman sitting looking worried, with a chain anchoring her to a brain graphic. There are red lightening bolts coming from her head and a speech bubble with red dollar signs. Griffith University logo bottom left.

    What is financial toxicity? Illustrations for each point. 💸 Out-of-pocket costs (bag of money) 🚌 Transport, parking (plane, train, taxi, car) 🕒 Lost income from caregiving (wallet with a magnifying glass) 🏦 Depleted savings or debt (debt cycle image with red and black arrows with a pile of dollar notes and coins).

    What we found: • People with more aggressive tumours reported more financial distress • Greater financial burden = higher anxiety • Anxiety partially explains reduced quality of life Simple flow diagram with text and arrows to show the relationships. Accompanied with a vector image of a brain and hand holding a magnifying glass to show a brain cancer.


    We need action. Early screening for financial strain and tailored financial advice and support could improve wellbeing. It’s time to treat the whole person—not just the tumour. Vector image showing two women talking. Griffith University logo in bottom right corner.

    🔍 Read the full study In the Journal of Cancer Survivorship By Jasmine Luttrell, Prof. Tamara Ownsworth and colleagues Griffith University | Metro South Health | Cancer Council QLD (Logos) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11764-025-01814-4


    Find out more:

    https://www.hopkinscentre.edu.au/news-view/brain-cancer-financial-toxicity-and-quality-of-503


    Read the full paper in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship.

    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11764-025-01814-4

    Citation

    Luttrell, J., Lion, K., Pinkham, M. B., Collins, L. G., Ownsworth, T. The impact of financial toxicity on quality of life for survivors of primary brain tumour. Journal of Cancer Survivorship (2025).


    More Information Contact: Professor Tamara Ownsworth Research Director, The Hopkins Centre School of Applied Psychology Griffith University t.ownsworth@griffith.edu.au https://www.hopkinscentre.edu.au/news-view/brain-cancer-financial-toxicity-and-quality-of-503

  • Honoring Excellence: Prof. Elizabeth Kendall Appointed Member of the Order of Australia in 2024 King's Birthday Honours

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    Congratulations to our Director, Professor Elizabeth Kendall, on being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the King’s Birthday 2024 Honours List.

    Professor Kendall has dedicated her life, professionally and personally, to improving the lives of people with disability, for more than 40 years. She is a pioneer of disability and rehabilitation research, making extensive seminal contributions in peer reviewed journals, books, and industry reports.

    As the Foundation Director of The Hopkins Centre (a collaborative between Griffith University, Metro South Healthand the Motor Accident Insurance Commission), Elizabeth was instrumental in embedding consumer engagement and practitioner capacity, resulting in impactful research designed and conducted in collaboration with end users. Under Professor Kendall’s leadership, research has been translated into sustainable components of the service system for people with disability.

    Under Professor Kendall’s leadership of Griffith University’s Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability, Professor Kendall is leading innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to creating inclusive places for people with disability to live, work and play. The Inclusive Futures Hub, an online, accessible consumer engagement platform, has grown to over 700 members, who have contributed to state and national policy reforms for people with disability.

    Elizabeth is a tireless advocate and champion for people with disability. She has also mentored many research students and staff to lead successful careers of their own.

    We are so proud of Elizabeth and delighted to see her receive this deserving recognition.

    Read more in the Griffith News: https://news.griffith.edu.au/2024/06/10/leading-disability-advocate-honoured-in-kings-birthday-list/

    A head and shoulders photograph of Professor Elizabeth Kendall. Elizabeth is a middle-aged woman with long brown straight hair and wearing a navy blue patterned blouse and silver and pearl necklace. She smiles for the camera whilst standing outside in front of trees (which are blurred).

    Visit the Inclusive Futures Website: https://www.griffith.edu.au/research/inclusive-futures-reimagining-disability

    Register to become a member: https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au/

  • Inclusive Futures Book Club: Janine Shepherd AM and Mark Berridge

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    A montage of colour images from the bookclub hosted at the Griffith University Gold Coast Campus Library. Images from top (clockwise) 1. Dr. Maretta Mann, Janine Shepherd, Mark Berridge address the audience, Mark and Janine's books 'A fraction Stronger' and 'Defiant', Janine and Mark, an over the shoulder shot of the audience facing toward the front, Jim Hogan, Dr. Maretta Mann.

    We were honoured to welcome authors Janine Shepherd AM and Mark Berridge to our Inclusive Futures bookclub event on Wednesday, 25 October for a conversation about life after spinal cord injury, hosted by Dr Maretta Mann. Janine and Mark spoke openly about losing their sense of identity, and having to reimagine and rebuild themselves. Recovery is a full-time job in a rehabilitation unit, but they found support and kindness from angels - fellow in-patients, nurses and physios, family and friends. At many times they hit rock-bottom, and spoke of reframing their demons, and setting and working towards small, incremental goals.

    Janine, who was training for the Olympics when she had her accident, said that she used skills she developed as an athlete in her recovery, but that she believes everyone "has it in them" to find their new path. For her, becoming a pilot (including an aerobatics flying instructor) "literally saved my life". Mark, who was a senior corporate leader when he had his accident, said that we need to help people to "paint a picture" for where they want to go and provide the support networks to help them get there.

    They also discussed the importance of agency in a dehumanising hospital environment, where rehabilitation patients spend a lot of time, and the opportunity to make assistive devices beautiful as well as functional. A beautiful walking stick or mobility scooter can help people to feel comfortable being themselves and being visible.

    We encourage you to read their books:

    Defiant - A broken body is not a broken person, by Janine Shepherd

    A Fraction Stronger - Finding belief and possibility in life's impossible moments, by Mark Berridge.

    Join our Inclusive Futures Book Club to find out about future events: https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au/inclusive-futures-book-club

    A montage of colour images from the Griffith Inclusive Futures book club hosted at the Griffith University Gold Coast Campus Library. Images from top (clockwise): Roxane Lane captioner, Dr. Maretta Mann, Janine Shepherd and Mark Berridge, Julia Robertson following live captions on her smart phone, Janine Shepherd, Maureen Sullivan.