The I-MAGIC Program: IMplementing Aspirin Guidelines Into Clinical Care | Shakira Milton

The I-MAGIC Program explores clinicians’ opinions on recommending aspirin to prevent colorectal cancer for Australians aged 50 to 70 years.

Shakira Milton
Research Assistant in Implementation Science, Cancer in Primary Care
Department of General Practice
University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research

In late 2017, Cancer Council Australia released guidelines recommending that all Australians aged 50 to 70 years should take daily aspirin to reduce their risk of developing colorectal cancer, a world first for the average risk population. Aspirin can reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer and dying from it. Since Australia has the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world, it is imperative that these guidelines are effectively implemented into clinical care.

Our project reports a large qualitative study exploring the perspectives of clinicians from a range of relevant disciplines to understand the barriers and facilitators to implementation of the new guidelines. We also gained clinicians’ feedback on risk communication tools called expected frequency trees which communicate the harms and benefits of taking low-dose aspirin in men and women.

Shakira Milton has a strong interest in cancer prevention through guideline implementation and helping patients make informed choices. After working in the Cancer in Primary Care group for the last four years, she is now commencing her PhD with the group.