University joins $20 million cancer initiative

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Wednesday, 1 September 2010

The University of Adelaide has joined forces with the State's key medical research partners in a $20 million campaign to fight cancer.

SA Health Minister the Hon. John Hill today announced that the State Government, Cancer Council SA and South Australia's three public universities have formed the South Australian Cancer Research Collaborative (SACRC).

"This provides us with a world-leading opportunity to leverage millions of dollars from national and international sources to tackle cancer, returning our State to the forefront of cancer research, prevention and treatment," Minister Hill said.

Cancer Council SA raised the idea of the Research Collaborative and has worked hard with SA Health, the University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the University of South Australia in nurturing its development through the embryonic stages.

"This combined clout forms a strong case to win funds and take the lead projects in the next frontier against cancer," Minister Hill said.

"We will aim to attract world-class researchers into new screening and treatment technologies and support our own emerging and established talent."

Cancer Council SA and the State Government's decision to commit equally to provide $20 million over five years is supported by commitments from the universities to co-fund Research Chairs in Collaborative Cancer Research.

"This signals a switch from cancer research competition in this State to pursuing a concerted cooperative approach. The one in two South Australians who experience cancer by the age of 85 will be the main beneficiary," says Professor Brenda Wilson, Chief Executive of Cancer Council SA.

"With South Australia's share of national cancer research funding having diminished in the years leading up to 2008, it's pleasing to see this united effort to introduce more strategic funding of our cancer research effort here in South Australia.

"It means that in addition to pursuing high quality biomedical research, researchers will focus on cancer behaviour and the performance of our services in South Australia to better define local cancer control needs, identify how effectively our services are addressing those needs and help close the gaps."

A SACRC Leadership Group will be chaired by Professor Richard Head from the CSIRO and include Deputy Vice Chancellors (Research) from the University of Adelaide and Flinders University as well as the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences) from the University of South Australia and senior officials from SA Health.

All areas of research will be eligible for funding, including biomedical research, clinical research, population health research and health services research.

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