Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer) Frank Sartor today announced a $15 million funding boost for cancer research in NSW. The funding is being awarded to more than 50 cutting-edge projects across the State.

Some of the latest projects to receive funding from the NSW Government include:

•    Professor Nico van Zandwijk of the Bernie Banton Institute who is investigating the bio-markers for a patients’ response to treatment for Mesothelioma;

•    Dr Claire Vadjic from the University of NSW who is researching the risk factors for unknown primary cancer; and

•    Professor Peter Karuso of Macquarie University who is developing fluorescent probes for early diagnosis of oesophageal and colorectal cancer

 Each year more than 13,000 NSW families have someone die because of cancer.

 The NSW Government, through the Cancer Institute NSW, has invested more than $170 million since 2004 in the pursuit of cancer breakthroughs and better outcomes for the people of NSW.

 Minister Sartor today said the funding represents an opportunity to foster new talent and advance established research.

 “It is exciting to be able to support people who are on the cutting-edge of science and to enable them to lead the frontline of scientific breakthroughs,” Mr Sartor said.

 “NSW is home to some brilliant cancer researchers and projects that are providing us with the evidence we need to drive rapid improvement in cancer prevention, treatment and ultimately survival outcomes.

 “This funding will help us remain at the forefront of international efforts to better understand, prevent and treat cancers.

 “It will also advertise to the research community across the country that we are focused on scientific endeavour and help us to attract more outstanding cancer research talent to NSW.”

 Over the past decade, better biological drugs, new surgical techniques, more effective early detection, falling smoking rates and record health budgets have improved survival rates and reduced cancer deaths.