Research Program Policies

Introduction
Research Program vision and purpose
Priorities of funding
Further information

Introduction

PCFA provides funding for prostate cancer research in Australia. We have a responsibility to the generous public who fund prostate cancer research; we must invest our research funds wisely. By consulting widely with Australian men with prostate cancer and those who care for them, we direct funds to research projects that best address their needs.

Between May and July 2018, we conducted a series of consultations to inform the development of a new research strategy, which will guide our research investment decision making from 2019-2022. These consultations were held with prostate cancer clinicians, PCFA's Research Advisory Committee, men with localised prostate cancer, men with advanced prostate cancer, National Support and Community Outreach Committee, and PCFA staff

During the development of this strategy, we have identified the top priorities of the Australian prostate cancer community, and gaps in the current research that align with these priorities. Understanding what is needed by men with prostate cancer has allowed us to develop goals within our specific research niche.

This strategy provides a clear guide as to how our research funding is disbursed for the information for researchers, clinicians and the whole prostate cancer community.

Research Program vision and purpose

Our overarching goal is to create and promote the uptake of knowledge that will improve the lives of Australian men with prostate cancer, their partners and their families.

PCFA's Research program objective is to:

Support men with prostate cancer, their partners and their families
Contribute to PCFA’s work in advocacy, and its awareness and support programs

Research funded through our program must:

Strongly align with PCFA's strategic research goal
Seek to answer questions identified by consumers, clinicians and service providers as those where research is most needed
Have the most impact on men with prostate cancer, their partners and their families, including delivering benefits in the near term
Be fit for purpose and of the highest ethical standards and quality
Identify areas of agreed priority where significant investment by PCFA could make a major difference in the near term
Recognise the value of partnerships and include actions to make the best use of partnership opportunities to achieve the strategic research goal
Recognise that support for capacity development is an important contribution by PCFA in achieving the goal of the strategy
Actively support translation of knowledge into policy and practice.

Priorities of funding

During the development of our strategy, men with prostate cancer, as well as clinicians and scientists, told us what research they believe is most needed. From this information, we have developed specific research priorities:

Research using existing biological samples from men with prostate cancer to better predict the cancer's course
Research to develop less invasive prostate cancer diagnostics that show promise, but need more evidence
Research to better understand the side effects from prostate cancer treatments and how they can be managed more effectively
Research to better understand how digital technologies can be used to improve access to prostate cancer information, monitoring, treatment and support
Research to investigate the impact of prostate cancer on men's lives, and how best to improve the quality-of-life of men diagnosed with prostate cancer, their partners and their families.