Media Statement - 10th December 2008
Forty-two projects will receive funding totalling over $14 million to help in the fight against cancer. 
By bringing together cancer charities and Government, research funding is maximized to directly benefit cancer research. This innovative approach to funding research is an Australian first in the field of cancer.
Most of the projects focus on improving treatment, care and support of people with cancers that are the highest burden on Australians, including lung, prostate, bowel, breast and ovarian cancers, melanoma and cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, such as pancreatic and oesophageal cancer.
Other projects will focus on the early detection of cancers.
The funding has been awarded through the Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme, created by the Australian Government’s cancer agency, Cancer Australia.
Funding from the Australian Government through Cancer Australia to beyondblue: the national depression initiative, Cancer Council Australia, Cure Cancer Australia Foundation, and the National Breast Cancer Foundation will jointly fund many projects through this scheme.
The Scheme supports the involvement of consumers in cancer research from design to completion and encourages collaboration between research groups across Australia. The National Health and Medical Research Council endorses the funded projects.
Part of this scheme supports the Australian Government’s focus on cancer clinical trials. Today’s announcement includes 14 cancer clinical trials.
More than 38,000 Australians die from cancer each year and 98,000 people are diagnosed with a form of cancer annually.
A list of grant recipients and their projects is on Cancer Australia’s web site: www.canceraustralia.gov.au