The TCRN would like to take this opportunity to thank all of its members for their contribution throughout the year and wish TCRN members and their families a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

The last Nexus for 2015 features the TCRN Cancer Challenge of the Year Family Matters project, and interview with Dr Kathy Tucker of the Hereditary Cancer Clinic, Prince of Wales Hospital. Dr Tucker discusses how the project using the Family Communication Tool has provided a framework not just for approaching the families but also in providing clear communication for subsequent encounters allowing more effective patient handover. The project has resulted in significant benefits for patients with cancer-causing gene mutations, and has been rolled out to clinical staff at four genetic counselling services in NSW and the ACT.

We highlight the contributions of TCRN Consumer Advisory Committee featured member Gillian Begbie.

Also featured is recent TCRN conference grant recipient Amanda Willis of the Psychosocial Research Group, UNSW.

TCRN members are reminded that they will shortly receive the annual reporting survey which must be completed by all TCRN members reporting on the 2015 period.

READ: The recently published report "Translational Cancer Research Network: Four Years in Review 2011-2015" is available for download below.

View the TCRN Report: Translational Cancer Research Network: Four Years in Review 2011-2015

Follow-up funding awarded to the TCRN Cancer Challenge of the Year Family Matters project has resulted in significant benefits for patients with cancer-causing gene mutations.
Read more about the funding which has enabled the Family Matters research team to expand the reach of the communication tool

The next round of TCRN Grants will soon be available to expand and enhance the knowledge and skills of our members in translational cancer-related research and cancer care service delivery
Learn more about how you can apply for the next round of Professional Development funding

The HSA Biobank is a resource that supports translational cancer research across Australia. Unlike many existing biobanks, the HSA Biobank stores all types of tumour tissue for all types of cancer research, and linked health data for each sample. It is stored in the Lowy Biorepository, UNSW and is accessible to cancer researchers with a valid Human Research Ethics Committee approval anywhere in Australia.
View the latest HSA Biobank collection data

Translational research with the potential for fast and meaningful impact is what lights a fire in CAC member Gillian Begbie’s belly.
Read more about this month's featured Consumer Advisory Committee Member

Amanda Willis, a PhD student in the Psychosocial Research Group at the Prince of Wales Clinical School, is interested in the psychological and behavioural impact of this information on patients, and role of clinicians and researchers in shared decision to help patients manage information about their genomic screening results.
Amanda delivered a poster presentation on a decision-aid that she’d developed on the implications of genetic test results..