A history of global cancer breakthroughs
Major developments in cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment have occurred for almost 150 years. See some of the major global milestones responsible for improving cancer outcomes.
What will be next?
2020
Free bowel cancer screening Australia-wide
Free bowel cancer screening available to everyone aged 50–74.
2015
Link between bowel cancer and processed meat
2014
Australian first: NSW solarium ban
Commercial solariums banned due to evidence they cause skin cancers and targeted combination drug therapy halts disease and extends life in advanced melanoma patients.
2013
Ground-breaking NSW sun safety campaign
Cancer Institute NSW launches the Pretty Shady sun safety campaign.
2011
Australian plain packaging introduced
In a world-first, Australia introduces cigarette plain-packaging legislation. The Cancer Institute NSW is instrumental in the implementation. Cigarette sales are the lowest on record.
2010
Gamma knife treatment
Australia's first Gamma knife patient treated in NSW.
2007
Australian HPV Vaccination Program commences
Australia introduced school-based National HPV Vaccination Program to drastically reduce cervical cancer cases.
2006
NSW's first skin cancer prevention campaign
Bondi lifesavers feature in the first state-based skin cancer prevention campaign, 'What are your chances'.
2003
Human genome mapped
Scientists announce they have mapped the human genome (DNA) which allows researchers to identify the genetic defects that power cancer.
In the same year, Australia's first state-wide cancer control agency, the Cancer Institute NSW is established to lessen the impact of cancer in NSW.
2002
Tomotherapy trialled
First patients treated with Tomotherapy treatment in USA.
2001
New therapy for CML
New targeted therapy transforms treatment for chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML).
1997
First ever targeted cancer drug
Rituximab is developed, the first ever targeted cancer drug.
1994
Discovery of tumour suppressor genes
The tumour suppressor gene BRCA1 is cloned. Specific inherited mutations in this gene greatly increase the risks of breast and ovarian cancer in women and the risks of several other cancers in both men and women.
The following year, the similar BRCA2 gene is also cloned.
1991
Development in anti-nausea drugs
Anti-nausea drugs alleviate major side effects of cancer treatment (Ondansetron).
BreastScreen Australia first provides free population breast cancer screening.
The National Cervical Screening Program is also introduced, halving cases and deaths from cervical cancer.
1990s
3D conformal radiation therapy
3D conformal radiation therapy allows doctors to shape the dose to the target tumours from multiple angles.
1986
Second-hand smoke declared carcinogenic
Second-hand smoke is officially declared a carcinogen by the US Surgeon General.
1980s
Tamoxifen stops breast cancer recurrence
A large study, led by Cancer Research UK scientists, shows that tamoxifen prevents breast cancer from coming back after surgery. This work led to a major breakthrough in the way that early cancer is treated, saving thousands of lives.
1980
Iconic sun protection ad airs in Australia
The 'Slip, Slop, Slap' skin cancer prevention campaign airs for the first time.
1975
First radiotherapy masks invented
1973
Tobacco advertising banned in Australia
Tobacco advertising on television and radio began being phased out in 1973. A total ban on tobacco and cigarette advertising commenced in 1976.
1970s
Advancements in tumour imaging
PET, MRI and CT are developed - CT scanning enables doctors to assess tumours in more detail and target them through radiation or surgery without harming patients' healthy tissue.
1965
Radiation beam shaping
Radiation beam shaping using a multileaf collimators described by Takahashi, Japan.
1965
Radiation beam shaping
Radiation beam shaping using a multileaf collimators described by Takahashi, Japan.
1965
Development in combination chemotherapy
Chemotherapy found to cure Hodgkin Lymphoma regimen called MOPP.
1965
First human cancer virus discovered
Cancer Research UK-funded scientists discover the first human cancer virus - today around one in five cancers worldwide is linked to viruses or bacteria
1958
Combination chemotherapy for leukaemia
1953
First human tumour cured
Roy Hertz and Min Chiu Li achieve the first complete cure of a human solid tumor by chemotherapy when they use the drug methotrexate to treat a patient with choriocarcinoma, a rare cancer of the reproductive tissue that mainly affects women.
1953
Linac based RT
First patient to be treated with cobalt 60 radiation, Canada.
Linac based radiotherapy for cancer began in 1953 in London Hammersmith hospital
1951
Cobalt 60 radiation
First patient to be treated with cobalt 60 radiation, Canada.
1950s
Game changing tobacco studies
Landmark studies in the UK and US conclude that cigarette smoking causes lung cancer (75% of Australian men were smokers at this time).
1949
First chemotherapy drug approved for cancer
1947
First successful chemotherapy treatment
Nitrogen Mustard is used to treat Hodgkin Lymphoma. The treatment was discovered from an agent found in deadly mustard gas used during WWI.
1947
First ever remission of paediatric leukaemia
1940s
Bone marrow transplants
Dr Jacobson performs the first experimental bone marrow transplants in animals, laying the groundwork for bone marrow transplantation in humans.
1930s
First commercial sunscreens sold
Founder of L'Oreal cosmetics, Eugene Schueller, markets one of the first sunscreen products.
1928
The Pap Test is developed
1898
Radiation therapy
Marie and Pierre Curie discover radium and in the following decades radiation therapy becomes widely used to treat many different cancers.
1882
Mastectomy
The first mastectomy for breast cancer is conducted by William Stewart Halstead.
Image source
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2. NRC, NRC Graphic of the Leksell Gamma Knife, graphic, Wikimedia Commons, accessed 16 July 2021, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gamma_Knife_Graphic.jpg>
3. ASL Reggio Emilia May 2008, Tomotherapy, digital photograph, Wikimedia Commons, accessed 16 July 2021, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tomotherapy.jpg>
4. Difu Wu May 12 2011, A small, hypolobated megakaryocyte in a bone marrow aspirate, typical of chronic myelogenous leukemia, microscopic photograph, Wikimedia Commons, accessed 16 July 2021, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hypolobated_small_megakaryocyte.jpg>
5. Oguenther at de.wikipedia June 11, 2011, Fab domain of rituximab with a peptide epitope, graphic, Wikimedia Commons, accessed 16 July 2021, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rituximab.png>
6. Intropin April 4, 2010, Ondansetron preparation, single dose vial for intravenous administration, digital photograph, Wikimedia Commons, accessed 16 July 2021, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ondansetron_vial_crop.JPG>
7. Editor182 December 7, 2010, Nolvadex, digital photograph, Wikimedia Commons, accessed 16 July 2021, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nolvadex.jpg>
8. Ralf Roletschek 12 November 2013, Computertomograph, digital photograph, Wikimedia Commons, accessed 16 July 2021, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:13-11-12-rechtsmedizin-berlin-charite-by-RalfR-10.jpg>
9. Liza Gross November 15, 2005, This electron microscopic image of two Epstein Barr Virus virions (viral particles) shows round capsids—protein-encased genetic material—loosely surrounded by the membrane envelope, microscopic image, Wikimedia Commons, accessed 16 July 2021, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Epstein_Barr_Virus_virions_EM_10.1371_journal.pbio.0030430.g001-L.JPG>
10. National Cancer Institute, Unknown date, Hertz, Roy and Li, Min Chiu, photograph, Wikimedia Commons, accessed 16 July 2021, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hertz,_Roy_and_Li,_Min_Chiu.jpg>
11. Unknown photographer, from G. Terry Sharrer, Ph.d. National Museum Of American History, Unknown date, Historical: Treatment: Cobalt 60 Cancer Therapy, photograph, Wikimedia Commons, accessed 16 July 2021, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nci-vol-1819-300_cobalt_60_therapy.jpg>
12. National Cancer Institute, Unknown date, Historical: Treatment: Methotrexate, photograph, Wikimedia Commons, accessed 16 July 2021, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nci-vol-1831-300_Methotrexate.jpg>
13. National Cancer Institute, Unknown date, Howard Skipper, photograph, Wikimedia Commons, accessed 16 July 2021, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Howard_skipper.jpg>
14. National Cancer Institute, 1960, Sidney Farber, M.D. - founder of Children's Hospital Cancer Research Foundation in the 1950's and 1960's, photograph, Wikimedia Commons, accessed 16 July 2021, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sidney_Farber_nci-vol-1926-300.jpg>
15. Alex Brollo, October 2006, Pap test, Papanicolau stain, Wikimedia Commons, accessed 16 July 2021, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pap_test_abnormal.JPG>
16. Unknown author, circa 1904, Pierre and Marie Curie in the laboratory, photograph, accessed 16 July 2021, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pierre_and_Marie_Curie.jpg
