University Cancer Researchers Win $1.9M in Grants

Wednesday 4 May 2005

Five University of Newcastle researchers have received grants totalling $1,916,330 from the Cancer Institute NSW.

Professor John Forbes' research team is working as part of the Australian New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group (ANZBCTG) which has the overall aim to reduce the morbidity and mortality of breast cancer by identifying effective prevention and treatment strategies through national and international clinical trials.
Grant received: $861,109 over two years.
Contact: Professor John Forbes on 02 4985 0113

Dr Peter O'Brien and his team at the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) have been working in Radiation Oncology. The grant will be used to improve clinical trial participation throughout NSW with the aim of developing improvements in cancer treatment as a result of the trials.
Grant received: $615,767 over two years.
Contact: Leigh Wallis 02 4921 5473

Professor Peter Hersey and his team at the Oncology and Immunology Unit have been carrying out research on human melanoma, in particular the resistance of melanoma to treatment. The grant will fund the purchase of a Flow Cytometer which will assist in the investigation of the death of melanoma cells.
Grant received: $220,000 for one year.
Contact: Leigh Wallis 02 4921 5473

Associate Professor Afaf Girgis and her team from the Cancer Council NSW's Centre for Health Research & Psycho-oncology have been researching the psychosocial impact of cancer therapy on people. More than 20% of patients experience significant levels of anxiety and up to 35% experience significant levels of depression during treatment. The grant will be used to help identify these symptoms early and provide effective intervention as part of routine care in cancer centres.
Grant received: $117,000 for one year.
Contact: Associate Professor Afaf Girgis on 02 4924 6376

Associate Professor Martin Ebert's team is researching the delivery of radiation therapy to cancer patients. The grant will be used for equipment at the Centre for Clinical Radiation Research (CCRR) at the Mater Hospital. The research in part is designed to discover how radiation delivery to patients may be best modeled and calculated.
Grant received: $102,454 for one year.
Contact: Associate Professor Martin Ebert on 02 4921 1171

Media contact: Leigh Wallis 02 4921 5473.