The Liberal National Government is investing almost $800,000 into research into how prostate cancer spreads and becomes resistant to normal treatments.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia. It can be lethal when it spreads to other organs, and can become resistant to conventional therapies.
Dr Philip Gregory, from the University of South Australia, will receive $782,078 in funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for research into prostate cancer.
Dr Gregory’s research will explore if an identified novel pathway drives prostate cancer metastasis and therapy resistance.
The majority of patients undergoing conventional treatment for metastasised prostate cancer develop resistance to the treatment.
Dr Gregory and his team have identified a novel pathway that is induced as tumours progress to this lethal stage.
The research will investigate the importance of this pathway and potentially open up new avenues for therapies yet to be considered.
The research could benefit the more than 17,000 Australian men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. It can save lives and protect lives.
Health and medical research can fundamentally change people’s lives by providing new cancer treatments and improving quality of life.
Health and medical research is a key pillar supporting Australia’s world-class health system and is critical to improving healthcare and improving the health of our nation.
This important research project is among National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grants worth more than $526 million.
Since 2013, our Government has contributed more $70 million towards prostate cancer research.
Last year we also boosted Medicare support for a new MRI scan for prostate cancer checks helping 26,000 men each year.
Our Government’s strong economic management ensures we continue to invest record amounts of funding into vital health initiatives including medical research, life-saving medicines, Medicare and hospitals.
Through the 2018–19 Budget we provided a record total of $6 billion to Australia’s health and medical research sector.
