Chris Christensen Cancer Survivorship 2019

Chris Christensen

Chris Christensen (MEdM, BEd, DipTeach) has worked in policy and leadership positions in the South Australian Public Service including Cabinet and Executive Council, Intergovernmental Relations, Education and Child Development. Chris is a six times survivor of primary peritoneal cancer, first diagnosed in 2010. Her main treatments have included two major operations, four chemotherapy treatments and participation in the ARIEL2 PARP Inhibitor drug trial. Chris is Chair of Cancer Voices South Australia a volunteer organisation whose purpose is to raise an independent voice to influence the achievement of better outcomes for people affected by cancer. Her areas of interest cover the cancer continuum and include equitable access to holistic, high quality patient centred treatment and ongoing care; consumer voice and engagement in all aspects of cancer services and policy; survivorship; genetics and rare cancers; trials as a treatment option; cancer research; and public education about cancer. Chris has been involved in South Australian Cancer Services committees related to governance, safety and quality and chemotherapy standards. She has advocated for system improvement through survivors as teachers talks and presentations to medical professionals, students and community groups. Chris has been a consumer representative on the Return to Work following a cancer diagnosis and Survivorship Framework projectsnumber of research projects related to cancer survivorship and has established a Cancer Voices Walking Group which supports her focus on wellness, not just illness.