RESEARCHING a cure for cancer has received a boost, with the announcement of $8.9 million in funding to establish a professorial chair in bowel cancer research at the University of Sydney.
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Most of the funding comes from charity Bowel Cancer Australia, which has committed $5.9 million to establish the position.
It will be supported by $3 million to advance research into bowel cancer.
Named the Lawrence Penn Chair in Bowel Cancer Research after one of Australia’s oldest bowel cancer survivors, the chair will be based at the university’s Northern Clinical School campus.
Bowel cancer is the second most common diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Australia.
“Changing that fact requires significant, long-term funding for dedicated bowel cancer research and that’s what we’ve provided,” said Bowel Cancer Australia chief executive Julien Wiggins.
“Screening can help with early detection but it won’t eliminate bowel cancer. Research is the only way to discover a cure.”
He said the size of the funding would enable the chair and ancillary support to continue in perpetuity.
Bowel cancer facts:
- Bowel cancer (colorectal cancer) is cancer of the lining of the colon or rectum
- One in 12 Australians are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year, 1000 are aged under 50.
- If detected early, 90 per cent can be successfully treated.
- Major risk factors include a personal or family history of the disease, being over the age of 50, a history of polyps, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
To support Bowel Cancer Australia call 1800-555-494, www.bowelcanceraustralia.org
