Plus, celebrating 20 years of cancer research and innovation in NSW

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Cancer Institute NSW

The latest news, insights and research in NSW cancer control

MESSAGE FROM THE NSW CHIEF CANCER OFFICER

Hi there, 

September is a month where we acknowledge and share news and stories on the impact of a range of cancers on our community, including prostate, blood and childhood cancer. Stories that we are pleased to share in this month’s newsletter.  

We were privileged to release the Prostate Cancer in NSW 2025 report this month. This is the first publication of its kind to focus on the most common cancer in men, with one in five men in NSW expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

Like all cancers, prostate cancer poses a significant challenge to the healthcare system. The Prostate Cancer in NSW 2025 report signals the Cancer Institute NSW’s commitment to work alongside clinicians, researchers, patients, carers and communities to advance prostate cancer care and bring hope to every person and family affected by this disease.

The report draws upon the robust and comprehensive data available through the NSW Cancer Registry and the Prostate Cancer Outcomes Registry-NSW (PCOR-NSW).

Since 2011, the Cancer Institute NSW has led quality improvement and benchmarking across the state’s cancer system through the Reporting for Better Cancer Outcomes (RBCO) program. By connecting data and clinical expertise, the program supports clinicians and health services to reduce disparities in cancer outcomes and strive for greater equity of access and outcomes for all people with cancer. This report is another way the RBCO program is spotlighting the health needs of people with cancer and supporting innovation and collaboration in NSW.

Warm regards,

Professor Tracey O’Brien AM
NSW Chief Cancer Officer
Chief Executive, Cancer Institute NSW

MORE STORIES BELOW:

MULTICULTURAL HEALTH WEEK

We were delighted to be part of the launch of Multicultural Health Week (1 – 7 September) at Parliament House and to spotlight this year’s theme: healthy ageing. Professor Tracey O’Brien AM shared the stage with Minister for Health Ryan Park, Secretary Susan Pearce AM and others to advocate on how we can all support older people in our families and communities.

From encouraging healthy living, to supporting cancer screening and regular GP visits, small actions can make a big difference.

The Institute’s website has cancer prevention and screening information, as well as resources for people diagnosed with cancer, available in multiple languages.

INSPIRING STORIES FROM PEOPLE ACROSS NSW

Whether you have a lived experience of cancer or work in the cancer field, you’ll know that no two cancer stories are the same.

Over the last month, we’ve shared some inspiring stories from people impacted by cancer across NSW.

FOR CANCER PROFESSIONALS

Together with our partners, the Institute is committed to improving equity of cancer outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW.

Since 2020, we have collaborated to deliver the Aboriginal People in NSW report, as part of our wider Reporting for Better Cancer Outcomes (RBCO) program.

A recent evaluation of the report indicates:

THE LATEST IN CANCER GRANTS 

In exciting news, $1.8 million in equipment has been awarded to three cancer researchers and their teams in NSW. The Institute’s Research Equipment Grants support world class research infrastructure to accelerate cancer research and realise clinical benefits, with each receiving $600,000 to help fund state-of-the-art technology integral to their research.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients including Professor Hilda Pickett (University of Sydney), Professor Nicole Verrills (University of Newcastle) and A/Professor Emily Blyth (University of Sydney).

To help boost access to clinical trials in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW, the Institute recently awarded $800,000 across four Clinical Trial Fellowships.

These Fellowships support the recruitment of a professional to undertake a short-term project that builds capacity and capability of the clinical trials unit.

 CANCER RESEARCH 

“It takes a village to find a cure. Through this Fellowship, we are finding a treatment strategy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML).”

AML is one of the deadliest forms of blood cancer. An aggressive blood cancer, research is vital to better outcomes and ultimately find a cure.

Dr Nunki Hassan is dedicating her career to doing exactly that.

She is leading an Early Career Fellowship, funded by the Institute, to research a promising anticancer drug to help improve treatment – and survival - for AML. Success, she says, would be transformative.

FOR NSW CANCER COMMUNITY 

Cancer Statistics NSW has been updated to incorporate the latest incidence and mortality data.

A range of interactive dashboards are available on the Institute’s website. These provide local health districts with access to cancer related data, including cancer incidence, mortality and relative survival, breast screening, clinical trials and  cancer statistics specific to Aboriginal people in NSW.

FOR CANCER PROFESSIONALS

The new Research and Partnerships Concierge is the Institute’s single online point of contact for research, data and partnerships requests.

Through the concierge, we can assist researchers, clinicians and healthcare organisations with:

FOR PEOPLE WITH CANCER

Concerns about body image are common in people living with and beyond cancer.

This is because cancer and its treatments can change how your body looks, works and feels.

It’s important to know that you are not alone, there are people and services that can help.

Visit the Institute’s website to find information and support that is right for you.

FOR CANCER NURSES

eviQ Education has released the second module of its new Radiation Oncology Nursing Course, equipping nurses with the knowledge and clinical skills required to safely care for patients receiving radiation therapy.

The module has 13 parts covering radiation treatment-related side effects and their management. The Radiation Oncology Nursing Course consists of both online learning and practical skills development to support the translation of theory into practice within the workplace.

It is a core course in the eviQ Education radiation oncology nursing learning pathway.

This email was brought to you from Cammeraygal country

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which the Cancer Institute NSW offices reside on, the Cammeraygal (Gammaraygal) people. 

We pay our respect to these Elders past and present. We also acknowledge the strength and identity of all Aboriginal people.

If you were forwarded this email from a friend or colleague and would like to receive future news and updates from the Cancer Institute NSW, please subscribe. 

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