Phil Mendoza-Jones is a cancer survivor who commenced chemotherapy treatment in late 2004, completing it in April 2005. From that time he has experienced side effects relating to his cancer treatment, some of which continue to this day.

As a result of his chemotherapy treatment, Phil experiences peripheral neuropathy — problems with the nerves in the hands and feet, which can lead to pain, tingling, and numbness. “I walk for almost two hours, three to four times a week, play singles tennis twice a week, plus an occasional doubles on the weekend,” Phil says. “This is an enormous amount of pressure and stress on my feet, which is still painful but clearly not debilitating. Pins and needles are intermittent, but the overall aching or stabbing pain is sometimes severe.”  For Phil, this is a big change from how things were before he received chemotherapy.

Phil has also experienced difficulties with writing and typing post-chemo, as a result of his neuropathic symptoms. “I can write and draw well enough now, but unfortunately my calligraphic handwriting style never totally came back – after chemo I could hardly recognise my signature.” In addition, he has experienced problems with his hearing, including tinnitus, and with his sense of taste.

Experiences like Phil’s, where side-effects persist even years after chemotherapy treatment has ended, are not uncommon. In spite of this, our knowledge about chemotherapy side-effects remains incomplete, and little information exists about the ongoing impact of side effects on the lives of Australians who have received chemotherapy.

In order to improve our understanding of the impact of side effects, such as those experienced by Phil and others like him, researchers at the University of New South Wales are currently running a national survey. This survey will investigate the impact of side effects of chemotherapy on the daily lives of Australian cancer survivors. The survey aims to fill the knowledge gap regarding the impact of chemotherapy side effects.

The researchers are seeking volunteers who have received neurotoxic chemotherapy (i.e. chemotherapy that can cause damage to the nerves) as a treatment for cancer to complete the online survey. The survey is anonymous, and takes around 30 minutes to complete.

If you would like to participate in the study please go to the following website: www.infocusstudy.org.au/survey

Or for more information please email: in_focus@unsw.edu.au