Cancer Council Victoria welcomes the
Senate Committee findings following the release of the report into funding for
research into cancers with low survival rates yesterday.
The recommendations in the report
include making research into low survival cancers a National Health Priority,
making clinical trials more accessible for patients and ensuring ongoing
funding for genomic research into low survival cancers.
Cancer Council Victoria CEO, Todd
Harper, who provided submissions to inform the report, said it was notable that
clinical trials be made more accessible to those who wish to participate.
"Clinical trial results will
guide future research so it is essential that we include funding for and better
access to clinical trials.
"We also strongly support the recommendation that annual progress
reports be made available on the development and implementation of an
Australian strategy to improve survival
rates for low survival rate cancers. It's
important that we measure progress and have a holistic view if we are to
achieve the increased survival rate of above 50 percent for these cancers by
2027.
"We know that research is
life-saving. The survival rate of some more common cancers has increased to 90
percent in the last 20 years. Research can also change outcomes for low
survival cancers.
"We must encourage high value
collaborations and support high-quality research. The end goal here is to prevent
cancer and ensure better treatment options for those diagnosed. Preventing
cancer requires that we know as much as possible about the cause of it in the
first place."
We hope today's report provides
an impetus for government, cancer, research and community groups to make
progress against cancers with low survival rates. Cancer Council Victoria's
‘Forgotten Cancer project' began in 2011 and investigates the causes of less
common or low survival rate cancers. For more information visit
www.forgottencancers.com.au