Research is emerging showing how the disruptive power of the pandemic can have negative effects on cancer diagnosis and management.
We know that a diagnosis delayed by as little as three months may have clinical impact. For some cancers, this delay can lead to upstaging with potential impact on overall survival. It is a big issue for the cancer community and something the workforce is responding to. The Victorian COVID-19 Cancer Network has activated a media campaign which urges community members to not hang about when it comes to cancer.
The cancer sector nationally has been sharing messages to follow-up on health concerns, participate in cancer screening and continue cancer follow up. We all need to keep repeating and reinforcing these messages in the weeks ahead.
It has been a difficult few months but there is always room for celebration. The recent challenges have shown what a resilient and resourceful cancer community we have in Victoria, as well as many incredible people around the alliance.
In some outstanding news, Professor Jane Visvader, molecular and cellular biologist and Joint Head of the Division of Cancer Biology and Stem Cells has been recognised on the world-stage with election as a Fellow of the Royal Society, the United Kingdom’s National Science Academy. This is a well deserved honour for Jane, and a double celebration for Walter and Eliza Hall Institute with Professor Andrew Roberts, VCCC Chair Cancer Research Advisory Committee, Research & Education Lead, Haematology and Academic Lead recently elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. Fellows are among the nation’s most distinguished scientists, elected by their peers for ground-breaking research and contributions that have had clear impact.
It is pleasing to see VCCC institutions do so well in the latest rounds of funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). There is continuing dedication to Australia’s big cancers; breast, colorectal and melanoma. Investment into early detection and prevention is gratifying for its ability to increase the chances for successful treatment and improved outcomes. New technologies and the leading-edge area of immunology are recognised as essential keys to a brighter future for cancer patients.
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Prof Stephen Fox |
Translating molecular pathology into cancer diagnostics |
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A/Prof Aung Win |
Reducing Colorectal Cancer Burden in Young Adults: precision prevention and early detection |
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A/Prof Thomas Gebhardt |
Understanding and harnessing immunity to fight melanoma |
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Dr Daniel Utzschneider |
Characterization and targeting of precursor exhausted T cells (TPEX) for the treatment of chronic infection and cancer |
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Dr Stephen Wong |
Defining the plasma methylome to guide melanoma treatment |
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A/Prof Daniel Buchanan |
Precision Prevention of Colorectal Cancer: understanding tumourigenesis in high risk people to optimise prevention |
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Prof Mark Jenkins |
Tackling Australia’s low screening participation to prevent bowel cancer deaths |
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Prof Kelly-Anne Phillips |
Reducing the burden of breast cancer through precision prevention, targeted treatment and enhanced survivorship |
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Prof Jon Emery |
Transforming early detection of cancer in primary care |
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Prof Benjamin Howden |
Genomics for combating antimicrobial resistant bacterial pathogens |
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A/Prof Alicia Oshlack |
Harnessing the power of single cell sequencing to advance biomedical research |
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Dr Marian Burr |
Targeting epigenetic mechanisms of immune evasion in cancer |
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Prof Mark Dawson |
Improving outcomes for cancer patients by targeting the epigenome |
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Prof Sarah-Jane Dawson |
Circulating tumour DNA for precision medicine |
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Prof Sherene Loi |
Optimising immunotherapy treatment for breast cancer patients |
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Dr Marliese Alexander |
Personalised risk-directed clot prevention for patients with cancer |
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Dr Dane Cheasley |
High throughput discovery of synergistic drug combination for patients with low grade serious ovarian cancer |
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Dr Ben Teh |
Minimising infective complications in the era of immune-based cancer therapies through precision, prediction and prevention |
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Dr Paul Yeh |
Blood based detection and monitoring of pre-malignant clonal haematopoiesis to predict clinical outcomes in the immunocompromised |
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Prof Jane Visvader |
Deciphering mechanisms underlying breast cancer to improve patient outcomes |
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A/Prof Jeanne Tie |
Advancing personalised treatment in colorectal cancer with tissue and liquid biomarkers |
Professor Grant McArthur
Executive Director
Image: Some of the people from across the VCCC alliance to have received funding for critical health and medical research
