Dr Andrew Penman, CEO of Cancer Council NSW has announced a special grant for a locally-led cancer research project at Wagga Wagga. 

 

He joined Cancer Council’s local staff in presenting Dr Geoff Currie from Charles Sturt University (CSU) with a $56 000 research grant for a project which seeks to bolster local access to lifesaving cancer equipment. 

 

More than 1 550 people are diagnosed with cancer in south west NSW and about 370 die from the disease each year. 

 

This study could help improve these local figures by cutting the cost and improving access to metabolic imaging, a special scan, which can detect cancer early and boost treatment outcomes for patients. 

 

Dr Currie said, “The project aims to add a new dimension to current MRI imaging that will extend significant capability in imaging cancer. This would enable the capabilities of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and PET (positron emission tomography) to be rolled into a single procedure.

 

"Rural communities currently have access to MRI but not to PET. So it would allow rural based cancer patients the same workup as those in the cities but without having to travel to the city. In short, improved treatment outcomes for cancer patients at a lower overall cost and all more locally.

 

"Following the Cancer Council NSW grant, however, we will need to do significant pre-clinical evaluation in animal models before we can move it directly into a human model.”

 

Dr Penman added,  “Cancer Council is absolutely committed to supporting and engaging with talented researchers whose work could lessen the burden of cancer and improve the quality of life for those affected by the disease.

 

“That’s why I’m delighted to present Dr Currie with this research grant, as his important study could help close the gap in treatment options offered in regional areas such as south west NSW.”

 

The research, led by Dr Currie, will see CSU collaborate with Macquarie University and the University of Western Sydney.

 

Dr Currie is a Senior Lecturer in Nuclear Medicine in the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga. CSU offers a Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science with specialisations in Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine.

 

Read more about Medical and Radiation Sciences at CSU here.