The Cancer Council's mission is to defeat cancer and we see research as playing a vital role.
Research is the key to finding answers to our questions about cancer - what causes cell damage, why cells turn cancerous, how cancer grows and spreads and how we can most effectively attack it.
The donations raised from Girls Night In fund research projects, such as the many listed below, that look specifically at preventing the spread of women's cancer and and finding new treatment options for cancer patients.
New South Wales
Queensland
South Australia
Victoria
Western Australia
New South Wales
Cancer Council NSW has awarded $11.5 million in grants for research into cervical, ovarian and breast cancer since 2006. This research has covered the length of the cancer journey, through prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and post-cancer care.
In ovarian cancer, studies have:
- Examined the basic cause of the cancer
- Worked on ways of improving chemotherapy
- Developed new experimental models
- Improved treatment after cancer
Breast cancer research funded by the Cancer Council has also had excellent results. By increasing our understanding of why cells become cancerous, improving patient education, and creating new treatments, our research is improving cancer outcomes across the world.
The 2011 Research Profile put together by Cancer Council NSW identified a number of research studies, summarised below, which are making significant contributions to defeating women's cancer through finding out more information about the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship of cancer. The research expenditure of women's Cancers in 2009/2010 was $1,343,123.
Gaining CLEAR advances in cancer prevention
Associate Professor Freddy Sitas
Director, Cancer Research Division,
Cancer Council NSW
Aim: to discover how lifestyle and genetic factors influence cancers.
Since 2006, the CLEAR study has collected data from 5,000 people who have been directly affected by a cancer diagnosis within the past 18 months. Participants and their partners complete questionnaires covering lifestyle and genetic factors, and most patients also provide blood samples.
This information will be analysed and stored in a biorepository which the cancer research community can access to answer future questions about the causes of cancer.
Over 36,000 people in NSW receive this devastating news each year, and Cancer Council NSW is committed to reducing that number. The value of the information that will be made available by the CLEAR Study cannot be underestimated in helping to achieve that outcome.
New technologies benefiting future outcomes
Dr Karen Canfell
Senior Research Fellow, Cancer
Epidemiology Research Unit
(CERU) Cancer Council NSW.
Aim: To identify optimal cervical cancer prevention strategies.
Although cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in women worldwide, the National Cervical Screening Program in Australia has succeeded in more than halving the incidence and mortality from the disease.
Dr Karen Canfell and her team have been working with a great deal of success on the modelling of cancer screening in Australia, New Zealand, China and the UK. The broad aim of modelling is to take information we already have and use it to predict health outcomes under potential future scenarios. Dr Canfell’s research has been used to assist governments and health care agencies around the world make decisions about how best to spend their cancer-prevention budgets.
This new study will use Dr Canfell’s evidence-based modelling to look at the recently introduced human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program for young women, and how it can best interact with cervical screening. The aim is to expand our understanding of this area and identify the most effective strategies for preventing cervical cancer.
Unique genetic research targets early-stage disease
Diagnosis
Dr Viive Howell
Kolling Institute of Medical Research,
University of Sydney.
Aim: To improve diagnosis and survival rates for women with ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer related deaths in Australian women. Just two out of 10 women with ovarian cancer are expected to survive fi ve years after their diagnosis, due largely to the fact that women with the disease are diagnosed at a late stage.
This research project will develop experimental mouse models that accurately mimic serous ovarian cancer, the most common and aggressive form of the disease. The aim is to examine the sequence of events that give rise to ovarian cancer and identify genes which act as key drivers of the start of this particular cancer. This process has been hampered until now by the rarity of early stage disease tissue and uncertainty around whether the disease originates in the ovary or the fallopian tubes. The unique research opportunities offered by these models will contribute to improving the quality of life and survival for women with ovarian cancer.
Here are four further studies which highlight the potential for research to help women’s cancer:
Vaccination programs for cervical cancer prevention: The cervical cancer vaccine has been distributed in schools across the world to prevent women getting HPV, a virus that causes cervical cancer. The Cancer Council NSW is monitoring this program, and has found a new approach that would reduce unnecessary treatments in women and lead to substantial cost savings to the national health budget. Their research has influenced vaccination and cervical screening policies in Australia, New Zealand, China and the UK.
Aboriginal patterns of cancer care (APOCC): This Cancer Council study looked at the differences in breast cancer survival between Aboriginal women and non-Aboriginal women in NSW. It found that, despite the time to first surgery being very similar, Aboriginal women were only 74.9% likely to survive breast cancer, compared to 85.4% in non-Aboriginal women. By finding an explanation for this difference, the treatment of breast cancer can be improved.
Professor Roger Reddel, “Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres”: Every time normal cells multiply, their chromosome ends (called telomeres) shorten slightly. Eventually the telomeres become so short that the cells stop growing. Cancer cells overcome this barrier by finding ways to prevent telomere shortening.
In 1994, Roger and his team discovered that for about 10-15% of all cancers, the cells use an Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) to prevent telomere shortening, allowing them to become 'immortal'. These cancers include ovarian and breast cancer. Since then Roger and his team have focused on understanding how ALT happens and developing technologies that will make it possible to create and use drugs that block the process.
Professor Reddel’s work, which the Cancer Council has proudly supported for over 20 years, has led to him winning the 2011 Premier's Award for Outstanding Cancer Researcher of the Year.
A/Prof Christopher Ormandy, “Personaling breast cancer management”: A/Prof Ormandy, along with Dr Warren Kaplan, Dr Alex Swarbrick and Dr Matthew Naylor, are investigating an aggressive breast cancer known as triple-negative or ‘basal-like’ breast cancer. These account for nearly 20% of all breast cancer diagnosis, often appear in younger women, have a poor prognosis and are very aggressive.
This team has received funding for a 5 year program grant from Cancer Council NSW. The team’s objectives are to find genes in triple-negative breast cancers that can become targets for new therapies as well as looking for genes that can determine which treatments will be most effective for different women.
Queensland
Professor Andreas Obermair , The Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer
Summary: A large study underway at a number of hospitals in Queensland is examining the impact of enteral nutrition, that is, providing early nutrition to patients using a feeding tube following surgery for advanced ovarian cancer. This important study will examine whether early nutrition can have a positive impact on recovery from surgery, length of time spent in hospital and overall costs of treatment.
Dr Albert Mellick, Griffith University
THE WALK 4 BREAST CANCER RESEARCH GRANT 2009
Title: Targeting bone marrow derived cells in breast cancer.
Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in Australian women. In order for cancers to spread they recruit blood vessels. Recent work has shown that bone marrow contributes cells to tumour vessels and that these cells play a key role in enrolling surrounding host blood vessels. The research will use methods in genetic therapy to block small molecule 'chemokine' signalling in bone marrow stem cells to block tumour blood vessel development and metastatic spread.
Dr Alejandro Lopez, Queensland Institute of Medical Research
Breast cancer stem cells as a model for therapy
Cells that replicate without control are at the origin of cancer. They may be the cells that normally transform themselves into various cell types of the breast providing the intermittent changes in the various life periods of such as puberty and pregnancy. These ever changing and replicating cells that may loose control at the origin of cancer are known as cancer stem cells. We propose to train the immune system in identifying and destroying breast cancer stem cells.
A.Prof Sarah Roberts-Thomson, University of Queensland
Prof Debra Anderson, Queensland University of Technology
A behavioural intervention for managing menopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer
Breast cancer treatment can rapidly induce menopause in women of all ages and result in severe menopausal symptoms. HRT, often used with women without cancer, has been shown to increase the risk of cancer recurrence in women with a breast cancer history and therefore is not a suitable treatment. Therefore, alternate treatments are vital. This research will address this gap by trialing an intervention to assist women with breast cancer manage their menopausal symptoms.
A.Prof Melissa Brown, University of Queensland
The role of the BRCA1 3'UTR in breast cancer.
Basal breast cancer is a subtype of breast cancer that is associated with a particularly poor prognosis. The molecular basis of this subtype of breast cancer is not well understood and is the subject of this research project. We will determine the role of the BRCA1 3'UTR and miRNAs that target the BRCA1 3'UTR in basal breast cancer predisposition and development. The outcome will be improved early diagnosis and the development of more effective therapies.
South Australia
2010 Research Grants
A/Professor Greg Goodall et al
Identification of microRNAs that regulate the properties of breast cancer tumour initiating cells.
Dr Scott Grist et al., Flinders University
Double strand break repair deficiency in somatic cells as an index for inherited breast cancer and ovarian cancer risk.
2010 Research Fellowships
N Moore Dame Romab Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide, University Hanson Institute
Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MDA) action in the normal human breast: implications for breast cancer risk in users of homran replacement therapy.
Senior Research Fellowship
L Butler, Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide, University Hanson Institute
Androgen signalling in the normal human breast: role and implications for breast cancer risk
Victoria
Dr Belinda Parker and Prof Paul Hertzog from the research division at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre 2011-2012
Tumour cell suppression of immune pathways to enable spread to bone
The project explores the role of specific immune responses in blocking the spread of breast cancer to bone. Results may allow the development of new treatment strategies for patients with advanced breast cancer.
This project is currently being funded through Girls Night In donations and is investigating the role of specific immune responses in blocking the spread of breast cancer to bone. Led by Dr Belinda Parker and Professor Paul Hertzog from the Peter
MacCallum Cancer Centre, the study could enable the development of new treatment strategies for patients with advanced breast cancer.
The following provides examples of National research projects currently underway as a result of funding and grants from the State and Territory Cancer Councils.
2010 Research Project, A/Prof Sepehr Tabrizi et al
This project aims to assess effectiveness of the cervical cancer vaccine introduced in 2005 by comparing current HPV types circulating in the population to the pre-vaccine data.
This study can potentially identify differences in prevalence of HPV types in the population after introduction of the vaccine including early predictions of any replacement genotypes.
2008-2010 Research Project, Prof Geoffrey Pietersz
Investigates the design and testing of a vaccine that could prevent breast cancer in a majority of women. The principle, once validated, will apply to other cancers as well.
Prof Leon Bach, Prof Greg Rice
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-6 & ovarian cancer
This project explores the role of a family of growth-promoting proteins in ovarian cancer. The results will enhance our understanding of this role and may lead to new treatments for this cancer.
Dr Colin Clyne from Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research 2010-2011
LRH-1 in breast cancer.
Dr Clyne is leading a team that is researching the causes of breast cancer in older people by exploring the role of a protein known as LRH-1. This research has the potential to find a new treatment option and better understanding of the causes of breast cancer.
This research is currently being funded through Girls Night In donations and is investigating the causes of breast cancer in older people by exploring the role of a protein known as LRH-1. Led by Dr Colin Clyne from Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research, the study has the potential to gain a better understanding of the causes of breast cancer, which can lead to new treatment options.
Western Australia
Prof Robert Newton et al
Efficacy and safety of high versus low intensity resistance exercise, with and without compression for management of lymphedema in breast cancer survivors.
Lymphodema is chronic swelling of the arms or legs that occurs due to damage to fluid drainage channels of the body’s lymphatic system (part of our immune system). Cancer and its treatment can damage the lymphatic system, causing the lymph fluid to collect in the body and not drain away properly. Lymphoedema is a side effect of some breast cancer treatments and presents as the chronic swelling of the hand, arm and shoulder. The development of lymphoedema after breast cancer treatment occurs in about 20% of breast cancer survivors and causes significant impairment of physical function, pain depression that has a profound impact on a person’s quality of life. This project will investigate whether resistance exercise can be used to manage lymphodema in breast cancer survivors.
This project is looking at ways to improve the quality of life for breast cancer patients.
PhD Top Up Scholarships :
Mr Benjamin Hug, The University of Western Australia
Advanced radiotherapy techniques- development and modeling of advanced radiation guided technologies.
Ms Jennifer Girschik, The University of Western Australia
Lifetime sleep quality as a risk factor for developing breast cancer.
Cancer Council WA Fellowship Program
R. McLaughlin, The University of Western Australia
Improved intra-operative breast cancer imaging with OCT.
John Nott Cancer Fellowship Travel Support Fund
K Aronson, Queens University Canada
To visit WA to collaborate with local researchers on the topics of the genetic and environmental causes of breast cancer.
Would you like to help fund important cancer research?
For further information, visit www.cancercouncil.com.au and 'click' on How you can help, or call our Donation Hotline on 1300 780 113.
Help us beat cancer by joining a research study.
If you are interested in taking part in a research study, you can register online at www.cancercouncil.com.au/joinastudy or call us for more information on (02) 9334 1398.