Collaboration for Cancer Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CCORE) aims to improve cancer outcomes through research and the implementation of best practice measures into routine clinical practice in the treatment of cancer. CCORE has particular expertise in radiotherapy but also has broad interests in all areas of cancer management. Staff members include radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, epidemiologists, data managers and project officers.
Our goals
CCORE has a wide range of activities that extend from the individual cancer patient to the organisation of cancer services at state, national and international levels. Our research covers the broad spectrum of clinical cancer including surgery, medical and radiation oncology, and is achieving these aims through the following strategies:
establishment, implementation and evaluation of best practice guidelines and evidence summaries
exploration of methods by which best practice guidelines may be implemented locally
Cancer clinical outcomes research.
Refining of methodologies of clinical research including quality of life, economic and qualitative programs
establishment of partnerships and linkages between clinicians, universities and other clinical research groups locally and internationally
assessing inequities and variations in cancer treatment utilisations and outcomes and developing strategies to reduce inequity
assessing the impact of COVID-19 on cancer treatment in Australia.
Research strengths
CCORE has been very productive with many peer-reviewed publications, contributions to National Tumour Guidelines and commissioned reports. Following the publication of a report on the optimal utilisation of radiotherapy as a series of papers in cancer, the benchmark developed is currently being used and acknowledged worldwide. The optimum treatment models have been used to develop benchmarks for radiotherapy and chemotherapy use.
Our results
A number of large collaborative studies have had a major impact on policy and practice in relation to state, national and international strategic planning projects for cancer services have been completed, including:
Victorian Cancer Services Framework Report
Applied Sciences of Oncology Course
Papua New Guinea Cancer Services Report
New South Wales Cancer Council’s Radiotherapy Summit and Working Party
Overview of Cancer Treatment Services in Western Australia
Optimum radiotherapy utilisation
A feasibility study of radiotherapy in the Northern Territory
Radiotherapy in low and middle income countries
Southern NSW Radiation Oncology Training Network for Registrars
Optimal chemotherapy utilisation in cancer
Adult Glioma guidelines
Development of guidelines to support the appropriate use of radiotherapy in the elderly populations
Assessing inequity of radiotherapy and developing models to support international efforts to reduce inequity
Contribution to the IAEA Global Taskforce for Radiotherapy Model of Radiation Oncology.
Many members of CCORE hold conjoint appointments at UNSW and three staff are currently enrolled in PhDs.
Our team
Our affiliate partners
Health Economic Radiation Oncology Group
The George Institute