Cancer

Cancer research conducted within the Faculty, both on campus and within the Clinical Schools, together with cancer research undertaken in affiliated Research Institutes and Centres encompasses a broad spectrum of initiatives to control this disease. Activity ranges from molecular and cellular analysis of malignancy through to reducing the impact of cancer on people by prevention, early detection, better diagnosis and improved treatment. This diverse research is unified by commonality of goals, networking of higher degree candidates and of faculty members together with the role played by external organisations specifically including Cancer Institute NSW, Cancer Council NSW and the Ministry of Science and Medical Research. NSW Health policy on clinical streaming has brought together oncologists across the Faculty’s teaching hospitals.

Against the background, cancer research has been identified as one of the Faculty of Medicine’s Emerging Areas of Research Strength. Historically, cancer research has been vigorously pursued in various locations since the Faculty was founded. Recognition of certain molecular processes as common to multiple tumour types, and the emergence of treatment based on active collaboration between medical, radiation and surgical oncology have been unifying forces which have witnessed active collaboration across multiple research teams in the Faculty. In almost every case, the research activity in particular locations involves active collaboration with related efforts elsewhere within the Faculty. All this research is conducted on an internationally competitive basis with a view to achieving both research excellence and also with a view to reducing the burden of disease as cancer emerges as the major cause of death in Australia.

The UNSW Schools and Departments together with affiliated Research Institutes and Centres undertaking cancer research include –

• Garvan Institute for Medical Research: Cancer Research Program and Australian Cancer Research Foundation Unit for Molecular Genetics
• Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research
• School of Medical Sciences (Departments of Physiology & Pharmacology and Department of Pathology)
• Centre for Rational Cancer Therapeutics
• Institute of Oncology (including Oncology Research Centre, Hereditary Cancer Centre and Department of Medical Oncology), and SEALS Laboratories, Prince of Wales Hospital Clinical School
• Blood Diseases & Cancer Research Unit, Molecular and Cellular Oncology Group, Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Group and Departments of Medical Oncology and Haematology, St. Vincent’s Hospital Clinical School
• Collaboration for Cancer Outcomes, Research and Evaluation, Liverpool Hospital Clinical School
• Departments of Biomedical Physics, Clinical Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology and Medical Physics, of Surgery, St. George Hospital Clinical School
• School of Women’s and Children’s Health: Centre for Children’s Cancer & Blood Disorders, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Department of Paediatrics, St George Hospital and Gynaecological Cancer Centre, Royal Hospital for Women
• School of Public Health and Community Medicine
• Centre for Vascular Research