- Six cancer specialists to share in $985,000 for research and training
- WA Cancer Fellowship Program funds doctors to expand their experience and skillsets
- Program’s goal is to improve the lives of people with cancer
- Fellowship’s form part of the WA Cancer Plan 2020-2025
Cancer research in Western Australia has been given a financial boost with almost $1 million in funding awarded as part of the 2024 Cancer Fellowship Program.
Six cancer specialists have been awarded fellowships under the program, which supports medical practitioners to expand their experience and skills, ultimately improving health outcomes for patients.
The specialists will share in $985,000 in funding, which will go towards developing their research capabilities and gaining specialised clinical skills.
Now in its 11th year, the program provides funding via two streams – training and research.
The 2024 fellows include Dr Hsing Hwa Lee, who will investigate the role of targeted medical imaging to predict how patients with cancer that has spread will respond to immunotherapy, and Dr Katie Lewis, who will undertake training in the study of chromosomes (cytogenics) to support people living with blood cancer.
Dr Ek Leone Oh will investigate how diabetic and cholesterol-lowering drugs can be used to help breast cancer patients, and Dr Tia Ozarczuk will see if specific cancer markers in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer are at higher risk of cancer recurrence after surgery.
Dr Rose Radic will train in breast and gynaecological imaging, to help bridge the gap in locally trained radiologists skilled in both specialties, and Dr Ashley Tan will train in an emerging field that combines the use of molecular imaging and radionuclide therapy to treat cancer.
The Cancer Fellowship Program forms part of the State’s WA Cancer Plan 2020-2025.
With a focus on developing cancer research capabilities, the plan is aimed at providing the best possible cancer services for all Western Australians.
For more information about the fellowship recipients visit WA Cancer Fellowships (health.wa.gov.au).
As stated by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
“Congratulations to this year’s Cancer Fellowship Program recipients on your success and the opportunity to explore new frontiers for our health and medical research sector.
“A cancer diagnosis has a lasting effect on individuals and their families.
“This funding will allow these talented Western Australians to work towards improving the lives of those impacted by cancer.”
