Reducing world cancer rates is the focus as HRH Princess Dina Mired of Jordan visits Griffith University health academics this Wednesday 24 October.
As the incoming President of the Union for International Cancer Control, Princess Dina will be attending a Griffith-hosted reception at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre as part of a networking event with the university and in a bid to advance the fight against cancer.
HRH Princess Dina Mired is a well known passionate global advocate for cancer control and non-communicable diseases and also the mother of a cancer survivor.
In September this year, the Princess was chosen to speak at the high level meeting on non-communicable diseases as ‘Eminent Champion of the Fight Against NCDs’.
Princess Dina was the Honorary Chairperson of the Jordan Breast Cancer Program as founder from 2006-2016. She is also a well-known fierce advocate against tobacco use.
“As we speak, the fight against cancer is much like Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities,” says the Princess. “On the one hand, there is the example of Australia, as one of the developed world, where cancer care outcomes are one of the best in the world, wherein in the other tale in the developing world, cancer incidence is on the rise and mortality rates reach the deadly statistic of 70 per cent.
“As President of the UICC, I will continue to work hard to ensure that all people wherever they live should have their rightful chance for a cure, wherever they live and whatever their income level. Cancer care should not be an accident of geography.
“We at UICC work to advocate for all patients in the world. With survivorship on the rise, as a mother of a cancer survivor, we also need to understand more, not only about the physical needs, but also about the psycho-social needs of survivors. That is why I applaud Griffith University and the work of Professor Suzanne Chambers on focusing on survivors, their needs and how to navigate the so-called ‘new normal’ in their lives. This is an extremely important and much needed work.”
Griffith a hub for cancer research
“Griffith University is a hub for cancer research, particularly in the areas of cancer survivorship as well as patient care,” says Professor Chambers from Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland.
A recognised international expert on the psychological effects of cancer and how best to provide support for individuals and couples, Professor Chambers is a multi-award-winning researcher.
She works closely with the Cancer Council Queensland, Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia, Cancer Australia and Beyond Blue — all working towards the best possible prospects of preventing, detecting, treating and surviving a cancer diagnosis.
“With the number of cancer survivors growing each year, research to find effective ways to promote wellness and return to a high quality of life is essential.”
HRH Princess Dina Mired will also be meeting, among others, Professor Claire Rickard from Menzies’ Alliance for Vascular Access Teach and Research (AVATAR) and Professor Debra Anderson, the head from Griffith School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Professor Rickard is a registered nurse working to reduce the pain, risk and waste associated with intravascular (IV) catheter failure in all areas of healthcare.
Professor Anderson’s research focuses on understanding the basis and effects of risk behaviours in women and the interventions to change them. Her research aims to promote healthy behaviour change in women with and without chronic disease, including midlife women and cancer survivors.