5 November 1998

Free memory testing for men aged 60 or over as part of UQ study

Free memory testing is available for men aged 60 or over participating in a University of Queensland study.

PhD student Heather Green is researching the effect of hormone treatments for prostate cancer on men's memory and quality of life.

She already has a group of men with prostate cancer for the study but requires men without the cancer to act as a community comparison group.

Supervised by Surgery Department Associate Professor Frank Gardiner and School of Psychology lecturer Dr Ken Packenham, the study requires volunteers to have their memory tested three times and to complete questionnaires on quality of life issues.

Each test takes two hours and occurs at the study's start, six and 12 months later.

Funded by the Queensland Cancer Fund, the study will increase knowledge about the unwanted side-effects of prostate cancer treatments as well as quality of life in general for older men.

Ms Green said in return for study participation, she would speak to groups or clubs with male memberships aged 60 or over about normal changes in memory with ageing and strategies to cope with these changes.

For more information, contact Ms Green (telephone 07 3365 5222) or Vicky Allen (mobile telephone 0412 585 665).