Chris O'Brien Lifehouse

12/06/2026

From diagnosis through treatment, recovery and beyond, specialist nurses are at the heart of cancer care at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.

Research shows this kind of specialist nursing support improves both patient experience and clinical outcomes — helping reduce anxiety, manage symptoms earlier, and avoid unnecessary complications or emergency visits.

Today you can donate to this program and leave a message for the nurses who may have made a difference to you or your family.

💛 Make a gift here: https://donate.mylifehouse.org.au/nurses

07/06/2026

𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐎

Today, we acknowledge the passing of Professor Richard Scolyer AO.

His legacy lives on through the lives he changed and the future he helped shape.

May he rest in peace.

Click through to read COBL’s full statement.

04/06/2026

𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐎’𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐎
Today, 17 years since the passing of Professor Chris O’Brien AO, we pause to honour his memory and the enduring legacy he continues to leave on cancer care at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and beyond.

Professor O’Brien believed there was a better way to care for people with cancer. He imagined a place where clinical excellence, research, innovation and compassion would come together under one roof, always centred around the needs of patients and their families. That vision remains the foundation of who we are today.

While cancer care has evolved significantly over the past 17 years, our purpose has remained the same: to minimise the burden of cancer. The way we deliver on that mission continues to grow through groundbreaking research, emerging treatments, new technologies and advancements in personalised care. Yet through every advancement and every transformation, patients remain at the heart of every decision we make and the path we choose to take as an organisation.

We remember Professor O’Brien with deep gratitude and respect. His legacy lives on through the care we provide, the progress we pursue and the shared purpose that continues to unite our people every day.

03/06/2026

𝐃𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐭-𝐋𝐞𝐞: 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞
Join us in congratulating Dr Catherine Seet-Lee, Exercise Physiologist at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse (COBL), on the completion of her PhD through the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Medicine and Health.

Dr Seet-Lee’s research examined the impact of intra-infusion exercise, where patients complete structured exercise during chemotherapy infusion, on tumour vascularity in patients with cancer.

Supervised by several people, including Professor Michael Boyer, Dr Seet-Lee investigated whether this approach could do more than support treatment side effects, and whether it might also influence tumour blood flow in a way that could improve chemotherapy delivery and effectiveness. Her findings suggest that intra-infusion exercise may increase tumour blood flow, opening up further questions around how exercise could be used to support treatment delivery and response. Her next study will build on this work, focusing on patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Dr Seet-Lee’s work was supported by Associate Professor Kate Mahon, Director of Medical Oncology, and Associate Professor Judith Lacey, Director of Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology, who were also involved in one of the studies included in her thesis.

We congratulate Dr Seet-Lee on her PhD and her contribution to advancing the role of exercise physiology within cancer treatment pathways.

01/06/2026

Imagine going through cancer treatment and having a number on your fridge you can call or text whenever something doesn’t feel right.

A question. A worry. A symptom that’s changing. Or just needing reassurance in the middle of a difficult day.

For many people with cancer, specialist nurses are that constant point of contact. Someone who knows their situation and can help them get answers quickly by working directly with their doctors and care team.

That support is there from diagnosis, through treatment, recovery, and beyond.

At Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, our specialist nurse roles exist because of donations, and you can help make this support possible: https://donate.mylifehouse.org.au/nurses

29/05/2026

𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤
Exercise Right Week (23–30 May 2026) is an initiative led by Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) to encourage people of all ages and abilities to move more and support their health and wellbeing through exercise.

For people affected by cancer, exercise can play an important role in improving physical strength, reducing treatment side effects and supporting emotional wellbeing during and after treatment.

At Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, our Exercise Physiology team provides personalised, evidence-based care to help patients maintain function, recovery and quality of life as part of our integrated approach to reducing the burden of cancer.

Dr Catherine Seet-Lee, Exercise Physiologist at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, says: “There is no one right type of exercise. The right exercise is the one that feels achievable and right for each person.”

This Exercise Right Week, speak with your healthcare team to learn how movement and physical activity can support your care and wellbeing.

29/05/2026

Living with mesothelioma can bring significant emotional challenges for patients and families.

Julie Black, Clinical Psychologist at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, will be exploring the importance of psychological support after diagnosis and throughout treatment, at next week's Meso Hour Session.

Chris O’Brien Lifehouse is proud to support initiatives that provide education, connection and compassionate care for the mesothelioma community as part of our ongoing commitment to minimising the burden of cancer through expert care.

Our next Meso Hour session is coming up on Tuesday 2 June. Presented by Julie Black, Clinical Psychologist at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, this session will focus on psychological support after a diagnosis.

Meso Hour is a dedicated national online program created for people and families living with . Through these sessions we aim to provide education and support for everyone impacted by this aggressive cancer. Whether you are a patient, carer, family member, friend, health professional or just interested in learning more, the Meso Hour is open to you.

You can find out more and register here: https://addri.org.au/training/meso-hour-tuesday-2-june-2026/

28/05/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲
A recent article in The Sydney Morning Herald has highlighted the growing role of prehabilitation in cancer care, helping people prepare physically and psychologically before major treatment and surgery.

Programs focused on exercise, nutrition, psychological support and education are increasingly being recognised as an important part of patient-centred cancer care, with emerging evidence suggesting they may improve recovery and reduce complications for some patients.

A/Prof Judith Lacey, who leads the Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology Program at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, noted that prehabilitation is still a relatively new area in oncology, with research playing a key role in building awareness and understanding of its potential benefits.

“For us to advance in this space, we need to provide the evidence, and that’s where we’ve been focusing over the last few years, running research programs and publishing our findings,” A/Prof Lacey said.

The article shines a light on the broader impact supportive care can have for people undergoing cancer treatment, while also reinforcing the importance of continued research, collaboration and awareness in this evolving field.

Improving cancer care is not only about what happens during treatment, but also how we prepare and support people across the full continuum of their care. This includes ensuring equitable access to prehabilitation programs, many of which are currently delivered through research initiatives and pilot studies, as the evidence base continues to grow.

Link to article: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/the-innovative-program-that-helped-this-couple-beat-cancer-20260513-p5zwi8.html

27/05/2026

'𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐈𝐧' 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤

National Reconciliation Week, from 27th May to 3rd June, is an opportunity to reflect on the rich cultures, histories and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, past, present and future.

This year’s theme, 'All In', calls on all Australians to commit to reconciliation through everyday actions, listening, learning and working together to create meaningful change.

At Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, we recognise that compassionate, person-centred care begins with respect, inclusion and connection. As an integrated cancer centre caring for people from all walks of life, we remain committed to fostering a culturally safe and welcoming environment for our patients, families, staff and community.

This National Reconciliation Week, we acknowledge the importance of continuing the journey together, with understanding, respect and hope for the future.

Reconciliation Australia

’BrienLifehouse

26/05/2026

After major surgery for a rare and aggressive head and neck cancer, Dan was supported at home by his specialist nurse, Carla.

She became someone he could call or text with any questions or concerns; a direct line to specialist cancer care.

This level of specialist nursing care is only possible because of donor funding at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.

We are raising vital funds to continue this program, expand it across more cancer streams, and ensure more patients can have a direct line to a specialist nurse when they need one most.

▶️ Watch their interview to see the impact in their own words.

💛 Donate today to help more patients access specialist nurse support: https://donate.mylifehouse.org.au/nurses