NSW Cancer Research Achievement Report 2008

Research summaries
01 May 2008
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Developments in cancer research offer hope that the gains we have seen recently can be accelerated across a range of cancers. Cancer death rates have fallen by around 20 per cent in some common cancers, such as bowel, breast and prostate cancer. Unfortunately, other cancers, like lung, brain and upper gastrointestinal cancer, still need more focused work.

The Cancer Institute NSW has developed key funding programs to position NSW at the forefront of global cancer research. We aim to foster research expertise by supporting careers; build research capacity through key infrastructure; translate research discoveries into clinical practice; and develop a world-class clinical trials network.

Why research is important in the control and cure of cancer

Investment in cancer research has become a priority across the world, acknowledging the rising burden of cancer on society and, in particular, on healthcare budgets.

There are compelling reasons for NSW, as Australia's most populous state, to continue to be active in world-class biomedical and health research, particularly in areas such as cancer. NSW has a substantial medical and health research capacity, including strengths in many areas of biomedical, clinical, public health and health services research.

Developing a local research capacity will not only assist in the global research effort to control cancer, but will allow NSW to effectively use and build upon results from elsewhere. It will also place NSW in a better position for tackling local health problems and encourage a research-oriented health system that is able to rapidly incorporate the most recent  evidence-based medicine into practice.

The Cancer Institute Research Division has been an integral component of the current and previous NSW Cancer Plans. High quality cutting-edge research provides the evidence that will facilitate rapid improvement in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment and the subsequent improvements in survival and quality of life of cancer patients. Creating strong links between research and health services can result in the highest standard of care for NSW cancer patients.

Celebrating outstanding contributions to cancer research in NSW

The NSW Premier's Awards for Outstanding Cancer Research was set up in 2006 to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of NSW cancer researchers at all levels. There are three categories awarded each year:

  1. Outstanding Cancer Researcher of the Year
  2. Outstanding Cancer Research Fellow of the Year
  3. Outstanding Cancer Research Scholar of the Year

The Outstanding Cancer Researcher of the Year honours an individual who has made significant and
fundamental contributions to any field of cancer research in NSW. These contributions must have had a lasting impact on the cancer field and must have demonstrated sustained progress against cancer.

The Fellow and Scholar of the Year are awarded to a Cancer Institute NSW - supported fellow and scholar who have demonstrated significant achievements and progress in their research over the previous year.

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