Woolcock centre for lung cancer research

A KILLER DISEASE – WHY RESEARCH INTO LUNG CANCER IS URGENTLY NEEDED

Australia’s lung cancer facts make grim reading.

• Lung cancer is the 4th most common cancer in Australia and has the highest mortality rate
• More than 13,000 Australians are diagnosed with it each year
• It kills more women than breast cancer
• Unlike breast or prostate cancer, lung cancer has no diagnostic tests for early detection
• It is the leading cause of cancer in the Aboriginal population
• Just 15% of those diagnosed with lung cancer are still alive five years later

SOCIAL STIGMA – SMOKING AND LUNG CANCER

Despite these alarming statistics, lung cancer carries a stigma that makes it a taboo subject. This is likely due to its links to smoking, even though studies show 35 per cent of lung cancers in women are not smoking-related.

Associations like the Lung Foundation Australia have initiatives to raise public awareness of the cancer, but there isn’t sufficient funding or a concerted effort to develop new diagnostic tools, understand the mechanism behind the diseases or find treatments.

With its truly translational approach, this world-class Centre will bring lung cancer research and lung cancer treatment to the forefront of cancer research globally and in Australia.