The Economic and Social Value of the Peace of Mind Foundation

The burden of brain cancer extends well beyond treatment

Cognitive deficits affect 90 per cent of glioblastoma patients, psychological distress affects 74 per cent of patients, and 64 per cent of caregivers experience anxiety. Median out-of-pocket costs reach $535 per month, and informal carers of Australian patients with IDH-mutant glioma provided 1.8 million hours of unpaid care in 2024.

Survival rates for brain cancer have slightly improved over the last 30 years. Five-year survival across all cancers increased by 22 percentage points, compared with just 4 percentage points for brain cancer.

Peace of Mind Foundation delivers practical, emotional and community-based support programs for brain cancer patients and their families

Australia's population is ageing and care needs are growing more complex. In 2022, one in two Australians had at least one chronic condition and 22 per cent had two or more, an increase of 7.7 percentage points since 2007-08. Cancer incidence is projected to grow by 9 per cent over the next decade.

The Peace of Mind Foundation supports approximately 1,000 patients referred to it each year through four programs: the National Advocacy Service, the Community Brain Cancer Navigator program, counselling, and events and retreats.

These programs complement the existing care system. Hospital care coordinators manage treatment referrals and social workers provide support inside clinical settings. The Foundation works outside them, in patients' homes and communities.

The National Advocacy Service delivers $8.7 million in economic value annually through public cost savings and increasing workforce participation

Applying for financial assistance is demanding, and harder still for patients living with cognitive decline. Among brain cancer patients, the average NDIS acceptance rate is 30 per cent, against 80 per cent for all NDIS cases.

The National Advocacy Service offers patients an end-to-end service to access financial assistance. A dedicated worker assesses eligibility, prepares documentation, contacts health professionals directly for evidence and manages the submission. Applications supported by the service are accepted at a rate of 97 per cent, and the service connects 326 families each year to an average of $253,000 in NDIS assistance.

Mandala estimates this generates $8.7 million in economic value annually, or $23,500 for every participant. Avoided cost to government accounts for $1.2 million, as supported claims are processed more efficiently. Increased workforce participation accounts for the remaining $7.5 million, as financial assistance allows carers to maintain or return to paid work.

The Navigator Program contributes $3.2M in economic value annually by reducing avoidable health visits and freeing up carers’ time

Community Brain Cancer Navigators work with families in their homes, between points of contact with clinical care. All patients working with a Navigator reported improved wellbeing and quality of life, 91 per cent of families reported reduced caregiver burdens, and families saved an average of $2,216 in out-of-pocket costs.

The program delivers $3.2 million in annual economic value, or $36,500 per family. Time saved from eased caregiver burden accounts for $1.9 million, avoided healthcare utilisation for $1.1 million, and direct financial relief for $0.2 million.

The Foundation returns $8.40 for every $1 invested annually

Across all its programs, the Peace of Mind Foundation delivers approximately $12 million in economic value each year against total operating costs of $1.4 million, a social return on investment of 8.4 to 1. Extending the model to every new brain cancer patient in Australia is estimated to generate approximately $85 million in net economic value each year.

Read the full report here.