EMERGING RESEARCHERS AWARDED CLINICAL FELLOWSHIPS TO TACKLE CHALLENGES FACING BREAST CANCER PATIENTS

In keeping with a focus on finding breakthroughs we still need to see in breast cancer research, Breast Cancer Trials and Cancer Institute NSW have joined forces to promote and support the next generation of researchers in NSW.

As part of a Fellowship program run for over five years, two jointly funded Fellowships will be provided to two early/mid-career clinicians and their projects that will explore improved treatment, recovery and quality of life for people diagnosed with breast cancer.

From helping patients stay active during treatment to addressing sexual health challenges and improving surgical outcomes, the projects will tackle important issues that can have a lasting impact on people’s lives.

Two researchers have been selected for Breast Cancer Trials’ 2027 Clinical Fellowship Program, supported by Cancer Institute NSW, which supports emerging researchers to investigate promising new ideas that could lead to future clinical trials and better outcomes for patients.

Breast Cancer Trials CEO, Ms Karen Price, said partnerships that invest in emerging researchers was essential to driving the next generation of advances in breast cancer care.

“Our Clinical Fellowship Program is about investing in both people and ideas. By supporting talented researchers early in their careers, we are helping to turn promising research ideas into discoveries that could transform breast cancer treatment and improve the lives of patients for generations to come,” Ms Price said.

“By BCT and the Cancer Institute NSW working together to support careers and ideas, we expand the support available to both projects and researchers. Maximising the impact of funding in clinical trials research is an important priority we share, so I’m delighted that BCT is working with the Cancer Institute NSW in this way,” said Ms Price

Maria Mury, acting CEO Cancer Institute NSW said

“We have come such a long way in breast cancer research, with advances that have transformed how we prevent, detect and treat the disease but there is still much more work to do,” Ms Mury said.

“We lose around 1,000 women to breast cancer in NSW each year and every life lost reminds us why we must continue striving for better outcomes. By supporting our research fellows, we are investing in the people who will drive the next discoveries and ultimately help save lives.”

The two successful research projects for 2027 are:

• Dr Jasmine Yee – Making exercise more accessible during breast cancer treatment (Cancer Institute NSW sponsored)

Exercise can help improve the wellbeing of people undergoing breast cancer treatment, yet many patients struggle to stay active due to fatigue, time constraints and limited access to support. Dr Yee will investigate whether introducing a supervised exercise clinic within a radiation therapy department, is a practical and effective way to help patients with early-stage breast cancer stay active during treatment.

• Dr Sarah Childs – Improving sexual health and wellbeing after breast cancer (Cancer Institute NSW sponsored)

Sexual health problems are a common but often overlooked consequence of breast cancer treatment, affecting quality of life, relationships and emotional wellbeing. Dr Childs’ research aims to improve how these issues are recognised, discussed and managed, particularly for women receiving hormone-blocking therapy, to help ensure patients receive appropriate care and support.

Ms Price said the projects highlighted the importance of research that not only improves survival but also addresses the physical and emotional challenges of breast cancer.

“Thanks to advances in research, more people are surviving breast cancer than ever before. But it’s equally important that we focus on how people live during and after treatment. These projects have the potential to make a meaningful difference to patients’ quality of life, while helping develop the research leaders of tomorrow,” Ms Price said.

Contact: BCT Media & PR Lead, Sara McGregor –  sara.mcgregor@bctrials.org.au

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