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Study reinforces HPV vaccine is saving lives

Researchers at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and the University of Queensland have found young women who received the HPV vaccine are far less likely to develop high-risk abnormalities that can lead to cervical cancer.

They used Queensland Health datasets to show these women had a 46 % lower risk of developing high-grade changes in the cervix, compared with women who had not been vaccinated.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common causes of gynaecological cancer, killing more than 200 Australian women every year.

Continue reading “Study reinforces HPV vaccine is saving lives”

Vaccine decreases pre-cancerous symptoms in Aussie women by 93%

Researchers have reported an incredible 93% drop in genital wart diagnoses (symptoms of the human papillomavirus) in young women who have received the HPV, or cervical cancer, vaccine.

The vaccine, co-created by Professor Ian Frazer AC (whose research was supported by an early ACRF seed-funding grant), became available for Australian girls in 2007.

The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of NSW and the University of Melbourne together with both the Sydney and Melbourne Centres of Sexual Health, looked at the medical data of 85,770 patients during pre-vaccination period (2004-2007) compared to the vaccination period (2007-2011). Continue reading “Vaccine decreases pre-cancerous symptoms in Aussie women by 93%”

Research news: spring 2012 edition

Current cancer researchIn the Spring edition of the Research Review:

  • Researchers have found a target for treating up to 50% of childhood cancer cases.
  • An ambitious Melanoma Genome Project has launched, with the aim of identifying all common mutations within melanoma cancers.
  • The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard has officially opened the world-class Kinghorn Cancer Centre in Sydney.

World-first HPV vaccination plan will protect young Australian men from cancer

current cancer researchYoung Australian males will receive the HPV vaccine (Gardasil) free of charge in a world-first public health measure that will help prevent a range of cancers.

Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek announced the plan yesterday at the Diamantina Institute in Queensland, where the vaccine was developed by Professor Ian Frazer and his team.

The HPV vaccine has already contributed to a decrease in pre-cancerous cervical lesions in young women.

When administered to males, it will help prevent cancers of the genital tract, some types of head and neck cancers, and it will also enhance the vaccine’s effectiveness in women.

Boys aged 12 – 13 will receive the vaccine through school-based programs under the National Immunisation Program, with Year 9 boys also included in a two-year catch-up plan. Continue reading “World-first HPV vaccination plan will protect young Australian men from cancer”

Queen’s Birthday Honours List acknowledges four incredible Australians for their services to cancer research

Order of Australia AC Professor Ian Frazer
Professor Ian Frazer. Source: The Australian

 The Australian Cancer Research Foundation would like to congratulate the following four Australians on their appointment to the Order of Australia yesterday via the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. We are so proud and humbled to have the support of these incredible Australians in various aspects of our work:

Professor Ian Frazer, awarded Companion (AC) in the general division: Professor Frazer has been recognised for eminent service to medical research, particularly through leadership roles in the discovery of the human papilloma virus vaccine and its role in preventing cervical cancer. His services to higher education and charitable organisations (Professor Frazer is currently Chairman of the ACRF Medical Research Advisory Committee) have also been acknowledged with this award. Continue reading “Queen’s Birthday Honours List acknowledges four incredible Australians for their services to cancer research”

Professor Ian Frazer elected Fellow of The Royal Society

Chairman of the ACRF Medial Research Advisory Committee, Professor Ian Frazer, has been appointed a Fellow of the esteemed Royal Society of London for his ground-breaking research that resulted in a vaccine for cervical cancer.

The 350 year old scientific academy acknowledges some of the most distinguished scientists in the world, with current and previous Fellows including Michael Faraday, Stephen Hawking and Isaac Newton.

“Election to The Royal Society is a great and unexpected honor, providing an opportunity to interact with the world’s leading scientists,” Professor Frazer said. Continue reading “Professor Ian Frazer elected Fellow of The Royal Society”