Joint Media Release - Minister for Health Sussan Ley and Cancer Australia
Minister for Health, Sussan Ley, and Cancer Australia today confirmed the latest round of cancer research funding from the nation’s leading cancer agency, pushing the amount invested past $100 million dollars in eight years.
With the announcement of $9.1 million this year, the Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme (PdCCRS) has now awarded $101 million since its inception in 2007.
Ms Ley said “this year’s Federal Government commitment of $5.86 million combines with $3.24 million from Cancer Australia’s funding partners to support 25 new research projects”.
“Since the inception of the Scheme, 292 grants have been funded by Cancer Australia and 15 funding partners. This year’s successful applicants cover a range of investigations, from biological research to cancer prevention, precision treatment, palliative care and quality of life.”
Cancer Australia CEO, Professor Helen Zorbas, says “the PdCCRS provides an innovative national approach to funding cancer research across identified priority areas, bringing together government and non-government funding partners to maximise investment”.
“The Scheme is designed to foster collaboration to support research which has a direct impact on clinical practice, policy and patient outcomes.”
The successful grants in the 2015 round of the PdCCRS are funded by Cancer Australia together with funding partners: Cancer Council Australia, Cancer Council NSW, Cure Cancer Australia, National Breast Cancer Foundation and The Kids’ Cancer Project.
2016 research projects include studies into: optimising treatment responses in pancreatic cancer; improving cure rates of childhood brain cancer; understanding heritability of breast cancer; the prevention of bowel cancer in high risk groups; exploring the benefits of early referral to palliative care; and comparing treatment pathways in lung cancer.
Cancer Australia collaborated with the National Health and Medical Research Council
in the assessment of the research grants. Further details at www.canceraustralia.gov.au
Media enquiries
Cancer Australia - Amy Cook - (02) 9357 9401 / 0438 209 833 / amy.cook@canceraustralia.gov.au
Minister Ley – Steve Block – 0428 213 264