New partnership to make Canberra a leader in cancer research


Released 16/09/2018

The globally renowned Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, the Australian National University (ANU) and the ACT Government have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to create a collaborative research centre in Canberra to benefit patients, clinical researchers and the cancer research community world-wide.

Minister for Medical and Health Research Meegan Fitzharris said the MOU will establish a Research Laboratory at the ANU in conjunction with the Canberra Region Cancer Centre.

“The ANU, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute and the ACT Government are committed to coming together to help our country’s brightest minds share their incredible research that will one day have the potential to change lives,” Minister Fitzharris said.

“We are incredibly lucky here in the ACT to have some of the best health and medical researchers working in our world-class universities and our hospitals, and it makes sense to bring them together to focus on cancer research.

“This valuable partnership will create Clinical Cancer Fellowships, help develop diagnostic cancer genomics in association with Canberra Clinical Genomics, and establish clinical trials that will all work towards much-needed research in this area for the benefit of patients and generations of people to come.

“By creating this impressive opportunity in Canberra, the ACT is well-positioned to attract clinical researchers to our world-class research centre and lead innovative clinical trials and research into cancer, ultimately contributing towards better health outcomes for people with cancer.”

Minister Fitzharris said cancer is one of the major causes of illness in Australia.

“According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, in 2017 it was anticipated that more than 47,000 people in Australia would die from cancer. That’s an average of 131 deaths each day.

“While we know that lifestyle choices contribute to a variety of cancers, there are still a vast number of insidious cancers for which we do not have enough knowledge about their cause and treatment.

“This partnership will be about bringing some of the best minds together so we can drive new outcomes in cancer research,” Minister Fitzharris said.

- Statement ends -

Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases

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