WESTERN Health has won a prestigious Cancer Council grant that will make clinical trials more accessible to oncology patients.
The funding – worth $632,000 over three years – will maximise the number and types of trials available to Western Health patients, with a particular focus on those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The announcement was made in a joint presentation at Sunshine Hospital by Western Health’s chief executive A/Prof Alex Cockram and director of Cancer Services Prof Michael Green, and Cancer Council Victoria chief executive Todd Harper.
Breast cancer patient Kim Nguyen, a 65-year-old grandmother of three who is already benefiting from a clinical trial at Western Health, also attended the announcement.
The grant was one of four projects – totalling $2.5 million and chosen from a highly competitive pool of applicants – to be funded by the Cancer Council and Victorian Cancer Agency.
Professor Green said the funding would provide more equitable access to clinical trials for Western Health patients with cancer, as well as enhancing the numbers of patients on clinical trials.
“It’s also important to appreciate that clinical trials drive quality in patient care because they set the standards for future treatments,” he said.
Mr Harper said the aim is for as many people as possible to have access to a clinical trial.
“Trials are a valid treatment option and are a component of a gold standard health care system,” he said. “In fact, standard treatments that extend and improve the lives of countless patients today are the result of clinical trials of the past.”
Western Health chief executive A/Prof Alex Cockram welcomed the funding, saying there was great need for improved access to clinical trials.
“This very generous grant from the Cancer Council Victoria is good news for our cancer patients, and also Western Health’s first-rate oncology clinicians,” she said.
“Cancer incidence in the western region of Melbourne is the highest of any metropolitan area. Western Health is one of the biggest providers of cancer services in Victoria.”
http://www.cancervic.org.au/about/media-releases/2017-media-releases/march-2017/victorian-clinical-trials-receive-boost.html
(From left) Professor Michael Green, Western Health breast cancer patient Kim Nguyen, Cancer Council chief executive Todd Harper and Western Health chief executive A/Prof Alex Cockram
