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Background Cancer treatment can be complex; and coordination of cancer care across different treatments and health settings is essential to high quality health care. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the location and scope of practice of health professionals involved in cancer care coordination in Victoria, Australia. Methods The study design was cross-sectional. An online survey was disseminated through 14 peak organisations for oncology health professionals to individuals whose work involved coordinating the care of cancer patients. Findings Analysis was conducted on a sample of 91 survey respondents. Only 26.4% (n=24) reported a job title of Cancer Care Coordinator. Overall, 67.0% (n=61) reported they were specifically funded to coordinate the care of cancer patients and 30.8% (n=28) devoted all their time to this role. The majority worked in public health services (n=73, 80.2%) and 37.4% (n=34) were located in rural areas. Compared with their metropolitan counterparts, rural coordinators were more likely to be funded by philanthropy (p=0.002); work part-time (p=0.017); and work with patients in the community (p In 37.4% (n=34) of cases patients were required to have a particular type of cancer to receive care coordination. Positions funded by philanthropy were more likely to have this requirement (p=0.002). Conclusion Health professionals undertaking cancer care coordination are diverse and the service offered differs according to location and funding source. There may be inequities in care, with people living in particular areas, attending particular health services or with certain tumour types more likely to receive cancer care coordination.

Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (lavender) is an essential-oil-bearing plant in the Lamiaceae family. Volatile oil produced through the steam distillation of lavender was examined to establish the essential oil yield and aromatic profile from each portion of the plant—namely, the corolla, calyx, leaf, and whole flowering top. The resulting essential oils were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The different plant parts generally shared similar compounds but in varying relative percentages. Aromatic profiles of the whole flowering top and calyx were similar, with prominent compounds being linalool acetate (34.3%, 32.0%), linalool (26.5%, 32.9%), lavandulyl acetate (5.6%, 4.9%), terpinen-4-ol (5.3%, 7.0%), and (Z)-β-ocimene (4.5%, 5.4%), respectively. Aromatic profiles for the corolla and leaf were unique. Prominent aromatic compounds of the corolla included linalool acetate (18.4%), linalool (10.8%), epi-α-cadinol (10.0%), borneol (7.3%), and lavandulyl acetate (6.3%). Prominent aromatic compounds of the leaf included epi-α-cadinol (19.8%), γ-cadinene (11.0%), borneol (6.0%), caryophyllene oxide (4.9%), and bornyl acetate (4.8%). Complete profiles and essential oil yields of corolla, calyx, leaf, and whole flowering top were established. This study establishes the influence the corolla, calyx, and leaf exert on the aromatic profile of the whole flowering top and provides insight into authentication of lavender essential oil.

Objective: This paper reflects on the recent growth of cancer research being conducted through some of Australia's rural centres. It encompasses work being done across the fields of clinical, translational and health services research. Design: This is a collaborative piece with contributions from rural health researchers, clinical and cancer services staff from several different regions. Conclusion: The past decade has seen an expansion in cancer research in rural and regional Australia driven in part by the recognition that cancer patients in remote areas experience poorer outcomes than their metropolitan counterparts. This work has led to the development of more effective cancer networks and new models of care designed to meet the particular needs of the rural cancer patient. It is hoped that the growth of cancer research in regional centres will, in time, reduce the disparity between rural and urban communities and improve outcomes for cancer patients across both populations.

This paper reflects on the recent growth of cancer research being conducted through some of Australia's rural centres. It encompasses work being done across the fields of clinical, translational and health services research.This is a collaborative piece with contributions from rural health researchers, clinical and cancer services staff from several different regions.The past decade has seen an expansion in cancer research in rural and regional Australia driven in part by the recognition that cancer patients in remote areas experience poorer outcomes than their metropolitan counterparts. This work has led to the development of more effective cancer networks and new models of care designed to meet the particular needs of the rural cancer patient. It is hoped that the growth of cancer research in regional centres will, in time, reduce the disparity between rural and urban communities and improve outcomes for cancer patients across both populations.