The Telehealth for Cancer-Related Fatigue (TeleCARE) project aims to develop and test a new telehealth-based exercise and lifestyle self-management program to help people better manage cancer-related fatigue.
Read on to find out how you can get involved.
Why do we need TeleCARE?
Cancer-related fatigue is a persistent and often debilitating consequence of cancer and its treatment. Despite strong evidence supporting exercise and healthy lifestyle behaviours as effective management strategies, many people struggle to access appropriate supportive care – especially those who have completed cancer treatment and those in rural and remote areas.
This world-first project will investigate whether a comprehensive lifestyle-based, clinician-led, virtual care telehealth intervention can provide more accessible support to cancer survivors (and their carers) to manage cancer-related fatigue.
What's involved?
The project is divided into two phases:
Phase 1
The first part of the project focuses on designing the support program. The research team will work closely with cancer survivors, informal carers and professional cancer care providers in a series of interactive workshops to co-design the program.
Phase 2
The research team will run a 12-month research trial involving cancer survivors experiencing cancer-related fatigue that will test the new TeleCARE program to evaluate its effectiveness and feasibility.
“This world-first project has the potential to make a meaningful difference to the lives of people experiencing cancer-related fatigue by making effective, evidence-based supportive care more accessible, equitable and available when and where it is needed most.”
Participants wanted!
Want to get involved?
We are currently seeking participants for the first phase of the TeleCARE project.
Researchers plan to co-design the TeleCARE program together with cancer survivors, informal carers and professional cancer care providers to ensure the program meets the needs of users and supports the management of cancer-related fatigue.
What do I need to do?
If eligible, you will be asked to share your lived experience perspectives during four interactive, online co-design workshops (1.5-2 hours each) over approximately 6 months. You will then be invited to review/test the TeleCARE program and provide additional feedback. You will receive a small payment (via gift card) for each workshop you participate in.
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible to participate if you are a:
- Cancer survivor who has completed primary treatment for breast, prostate, colorectal (e.g. bowel) or haematological (i.e. blood cancer) cancer within the past 5 years and is experiencing/has experienced moderate-severe cancer-related fatigue. You may still be eligible if you are receiving ongoing hormone suppression or maintenance treatment.
- Informal carer who provides (or has provided within the past 2 years) unpaid care for a cancer survivor who meets the criteria above.
- Professional cancer care provider who is involved in the provision of care to people diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal and/or haematological cancer who experience cancer-related fatigue.
You can be located anywhere in Australia, but must be at least 18 years of age, have access to the internet, and be able to join all four online workshops via Zoom (scheduled to be held in late 2026 and early 2027).
If necessary to get representation from all relevant professional disciplines, professional cancer care providers who cannot attend four workshops may still be considered if they are willing to join any workshops and/or participate in separate interviews at a convenient time.
This study has received ethical approval from Deakin University (REF: 2026/HE000396)
Find out more and register your interest
For more information about the TeleCARE research project and what’s involved, please read and download the Plain Language Statement. Please read this document carefully before deciding whether you would like to participate in the study.
If you have read the Plain Language Statement and are interested in participating, please click here to check your eligibility and register your interest.
If you have any questions, please contact the TeleCARE team: telecarestudy@deakin.edu.au
Project funding
Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Survivorship Care and Collaborative Research Prioritisation initiative (MRF2040469)