Australian-first resource guides way for brain cancer patients

Austin Health patients have played a crucial role in an Australian-first interactive workbook that is aimed at stopping people consulting “Dr Google” after being diagnosed with a traumatic brain cancer.

Sheran Jegasothy and Dianne Legge at the Building a Bridge to Life With Brain Cancer launch. Picture: Matthew Mallett

Austin Health has developed an Australian-first resource for people diagnosed with brain cancer.

Building a Bridge to Life With Brain Cancer is an information workbook, developed through the experiences of patients at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre at the Austin Hospital, their families and health professionals.

Sheran Jegasothy helped create the 140-page workbook and said it would have made the world of difference to her if it was available when she was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2016.

Ms Jegasothy was diagnosed soon after she gave birth to her second child and was deeply worried about how her family would be impacted.

“We were shocked and absolutely freaked out, the information on the internet is scary and not applicable to every case,” Ms Jegasothy said.

The Building a Bridge to Life With Brain Cancer workbook. Picture: Matthew Mallett

Putting a stop late-night internet trawling, the workbook contains tips, facts and quotes from Ms Jegasothy and other cancer patients.

“If someone is nervous about a certain aspect, the book will describe what will happen and it helps normalise it,” she said.

“It’s comprehensive and brilliant. This resource would have gone a long way to reducing the stress on me and the people around me.”

ONJ centre brain tumour support co-ordinator Dianne Legge said the resource was the first of its kind specifically designed to help brain cancer patients.

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“There are a range of physical and emotional challenges that patients face and it can be hard to know what to do and where to get help,” Ms Legge said.

The Building a Bridge to Life With Brain Cancer resource was developed by Austin Health in conjunction with Cabrini Health, Monash Health, North Eastern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service, Cancer Council Victoria and Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre with the help of a grant from the State Government.

It is available at the Austin Hospital for free.