The University of Queensland and The Prince Charles Hospital will lead a new centre dedicated to the early detection of lung cancer thanks to $1 million in funding from the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF).
The establishment of the ACRF Centre for Lung Cancer Early Detection was announced at the ACRF awards dinner in Sydney last night.
Director of the UQ Thoracic Research Centre Professor Kwun Fong said the new Centre would focus on the discovery and development of innovative methods for early stage detection of lung cancer.
“Lung cancer remains the biggest cause of cancer deaths in Australia and worldwide and has a very low five-year survival rate in comparison to many other common cancer types,” he said.
“Early detection can therefore significantly improve health and treatment outcomes for patients with lung cancer.
“We are very honoured to receive the ACRF grant to support research into early detection of lung cancer.
“It will be a major boost for lung cancer research that has been long underfunded in Australia.
“The Centre will greatly enhance capacity and act as a focal point for engaging consumers and clinicians in lung cancer research, educating clinicians and students, mentoring new and developing researchers, and translating research innovations into clinical policy and practice worldwide.”
Australian Cancer Research Foundation CEO Professor Ian Brown said the grant would greatly boost lung cancer research capability in Australia.
“One of the projects will investigate unique molecules and biomarkers of lung cancer that are likely to be in the exhaled breath of a person with lung cancer from a very early stage,” he said.
“The earlier a cancer is found, the greater is the potential success of the treatment.
“This is the kind of research ACRF likes to fund – it is bold and innovative and has the potential to change the way lung cancer is diagnosed.”
The Centre will concentrate on three major innovative research streams: innovations in diagnostic imaging using Low Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) screening and computer aided diagnosis (CAD); investigating unique molecular profiles and biomarkers of lung cancer; and advanced innovations in Bronchoscopy techniques.
The Centre will be based at The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane with major collaborations across key Australian and international sites.
Due to the clinical focus of the research, the team will be able to translate findings directly into daily clinical practice.
Media: Brian Mallon, School of Medicine Communications Manager, b.mallon@uq.edu.au, +61 (0) 403 621 109.
