Emma Wong
Acupuncture to reduce treatment side effects and improve Quality of life for people who are undergoing or completed treatment for prostate cancer.
Electroacupuncture for recovery of sexual function after robotic assisted radical prostatectomy: A randomised controlled trial and feasibility study.
Prostate Cancer is the most diagnosed men’s cancer worldwide. In Australia 25 000 men will be newly diagnosed every year. There are 2 main treatment pathways for patients, removal of the prostate with surgery known as radical prostatectomy and the other is treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy or a combination. Treatment for prostate cancer can be largely successful with high survival rates however treatment side effects such as loss of sexual function, urinary incontinence, hot flashes and fatigue significantly impact quality of life with men facing increased risk of emotional distress including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and even suicide death.
Emma’s research investigates how Acupuncture and Electro Acupuncture can be used to alleviate treatment side effects for people with localised and advanced prostate cancer. Emma is conducting a multi-site hospital clinical trial at The Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and Sydney Adventist hospitals using Electro Acupuncture for nerve regeneration to recover sexual function after robotic assisted radical prostatectomy. Emma is also researching how Acupuncture can reduce side effects such as hot flashes and, urinary incontinence and fatigue for patients undergoing treatment for advanced prostate cancer.
Supervisors:
Dr Suzanne Grant, Dr Sean Walsh, Professor Henry Wu
Funded by the NICM HRI and Blackmores Institute Scholarship Program
