Dr Sue Haupt is a Senior Research Fellow from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Dr Haupt spoke with VCCC’s online audience this week during Monday Lunch Live – a forum that showcases the work of experts from a range of cancer-related fields each Monday lunchtime at 1.00pm.
Evidence shows that the differences in rates of non-reproductive cancer diagnoses and outcomes between the sexes cannot be entirely explained by lifestyle and hormonal differences. In her talk, Dr Haupt explained how fundamental genetic and biological differences between the sexes are vital to cancer development, patient treatment responses and outcomes.
“Without proper understanding of the causes of cancer, we lack a basis for rational treatment design,” she says. “Our awareness has stemmed from research into core pathways of tumour suppression that differ between the sexes.”
"advances in genomic technologies and a fresh analytical approach are providing the opportunity to expose the basis of these differences."
Dr Haupt pointed out that consideration of a patient’s biological sex in non-reproductive cancer research and treatment design is still emerging. The underlying genetic mechanisms of such sex differences have been largely unexplored. But now, advances in genomic technologies and a fresh analytical approach are providing the opportunity to expose the basis of these differences. These in turn will guide precision medicine approaches that will have the ability to improve patient outcomes.
“We are at the edge of properly understanding the genetic basis of cancer sex disparities, and in turn treating men and women on a basis of this new understanding,” she says.
Dr Haupt’s presentation is available to view on VCCC’s Open Learning page. She also caught up with Tegan Taylor, host of ABC Radio National’s Health Report to discuss historical challenges and new shifts in understanding that will pave the way to build strategic approaches for appropriately treating cancer patients based on their biological sex.
To discuss showcasing innovation, collaboration, new ideas in cancer, consumer and research initiatives, please contact Catarina de Freitas, VCCC Education Program Coordinator. For the time being, Monday Lunch Live is delivered in virtual format each week - coordinated and supported by our events team.
