RECOGNITION FOR AUSTRALIAN & NZ CONTRIBUTION TO RESEARCH

International Recognition for Australian & NZ Contribution to Groundbreaking Breast Cancer Research

The 2014 Cancer Research UK Prize for Translational Cancer Research has been awarded to an international team of researchers, including Investigators from the Australia and New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group (ANZBCTG), for their contribution to groundbreaking breast cancer research.

The prize was presented at the National Cancer Research Institute’s Cancer Conference in Liverpool and recognises the achievements of scientists who worked on the IBIS-I and IBIS-II breast cancer prevention trials, which found taking preventive drugs can substantially reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in women at high risk of the disease.

More than 7,150 women took part in the IBIS-I clinical trial worldwide and 2,674 were from Australia and New Zealand. While more than 3,860 women participated in the IBIS-II clinical trial worldwide, including 818 women from Australia and New Zealand.

“This prestigious prize is tremendous recognition that is shared among all IBIS investigators in Australia and New Zealand. It pays tribute to the high standard of research and the level of commitment from our clinicians, clinical and support staff, and I sincerely thank them,” said ANZBCTG Director of Research, Professor John Forbes.

“It is also important to recognise the contribution that women have made through their participation in this research, dating back to 1992. Their involvement has improved the survival rates and prevention options available to women who are at high risk of or diagnosed with breast cancer, and has helped us to further scientific knowledge.

“I also would like to acknowledge the international collaboration involved in the IBIS-I and IBIS-II clinical trials, led by Professor Jack Cuzick from Queen Mary University of London and including Professor Tony Howell from the University of Manchester. Collaboration, both nationally and internationally, has been a critical part of the success of the IBIS-I and IBIS-II clinical trials.”

The ANZBCTG is Australia’s national organisation dedicated entirely to breast cancer research and is based in Newcastle. It conducts a national clinical trials research program for the treatment, prevention and cure of breast cancer. The research program involves multicentre clinical trials and collaboration with more than 80 institutions and over 700 researchers throughout Australia and New Zealand. More than 14,000 women have participated in ANZBCTG breast cancer clinical trials. The ANZBCTG’s fundraising department is the Breast Cancer Institute of Australia (BCIA). For further information about the ANZBCTG and the Group’s clinical trials research program, visit www.anzbctg.org.

Media contact:
Anna Fitzgerald,
ANZBCTG Communications Manager
Phone: 02 4925 5255 or 0400 304 224
Email: anna.fitzgerald@anzbctg.org