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HOW A SIMPLE BLOOD TEST COULD CHANGE THE GAME
Around 20% of people’s breast cancer will return after treatment. To give those people a higher chance of survival Associate Professor Clare Stirzaker is developing a reliable test that can pick up early signs of relapse – and allow for more effective treatment.
Diagnosing breast cancer recurrence early can prevent it from metastasising. This is why detecting the return of breast cancer as soon as possible is so critical to saving lives. But currently, tests are not sensitive or reliable enough to show relapse in its early stages, when treatment is most effective.
NBCF-funded researcher, Associate Professor Clare Stirzaker has discovered that breast cancer DNA has a unique chemical signature that can be detected in small amounts of blood. Together with her team, they are developing a simple blood test to detect breast cancer relapse early, so patients can easily monitor their risk and access treatment sooner rather than later.
Associate Professor Stirzaker is now working to make sure this test is as sensitive and reliable as possible. They will then use the test on blood samples from patients in clinical trials to assess its effectiveness.
If successful, this simple blood test will provide a new, non-invasive and affordable means of monitoring and detecting breast cancer relapse – giving people the best chance for effective treatment and better survival outcomes.
Research like Associate Professor Stirzaker’s gives Australians affected by breast cancer hope for a better future. And life-changing research like this is only possible thanks to the generosity of our community. Thank you for your support, and for helping us get closer to Zero Deaths from breast cancer.
THANKS TO YOU AND YOUR GENEROSITY, WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH LIKE THIS IS POSSIBLE – WE CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!
“We have made great strides in our understanding of breast cancer, but there is still much that is unknown. Without the research you help to fund, we would not be able to make the groundbreaking discoveries that ultimately lead to improved outcomes for patients.”
- NBCF-funded researcher,
Associate Professor Clare Stirzaker
MEET GAME-CHANGER PROFESSOR SHERENE LOI
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And this year we’d like to shine a spotlight on a researcher whose work has pioneered a new tomorrow for breast cancer research – NBCF Endowed Chair Professor Sherene Loi.
Professor Loi was inspired to enter the world of medicine at a young age when her uncle died of colon cancer. Today, she’s recognised internationally as one of the best breast cancer clinician-scientists. Professor Loi is a pioneer in clinical trials looking into the use of immunotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer. Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that can boost the patient’s own immune system to fight off cancer cells.
She made the fundamental discovery of identifying immune cells that can help predict a patient’s response to treatment.
This has led to the innovation of a test for the presence of certain immune cells in the tumour – providing information that can assist clinicians to manage treatment for patients with more aggressive breast cancer subtypes like triple negative and HER2-positive breast cancer. This immune cell test is now used routinely and worldwide.
Professor Loi continues to build our understanding of how breast cancer interacts with the immune system, leading multiple clinical trials around the world. Her involvement in trials that treated women with triple negative and HER2-positive breast cancers using immunotherapy led to survival rates that have never been seen before.
In recognition of Professor Loi’s outstanding achievements in the field of breast cancer research, she has won one of Australia’s highest honours in the 2021 round of the Prime Minister’s prizes for science – the Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year. She has been recognised as a true pioneer in her field of research and ranked over the last decade, as one of the top 1% most influential researchers in the world.
Research like Professor Loi’s is only possible with funding. Thanks to kind donors like you, funding her research over the next five years as an NBCF Endowed Chair allows her to continue making these global research breakthroughs at home in Australia. It’s progress to be proud of and truly showcases the importance of research during this Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“Thank you, NBCF and your supporters. Being an NBCF Endowed Chair means that I can work on more innovative and long-term projects, and stay engaged with cutting-edge international clinical trials. Ultimately, I truly believe this will have a great impact on the lives of patients with breast cancer.”
– NBCF Endowed Chair,
Professor Sherene Loi
POWERING RESEARCH THROUGH H2O
“Helping to raise much needed funds for continued breast cancer research is our way of giving back. And what better mission to support than NBCF’s Zero Deaths from breast cancer! ”
– Alka Power
Alka Power has been keeping Australian bodies hydrated and pH-balanced for nearly a decade. And now, the alkaline water company is also helping bridge the gap to Zero Deaths from breast cancer.
Helping people maintain a balanced, healthy and energetic life is at the heart of Alka Power. And in 2018, the company decided to take their contribution the health of Australians one step further, by becoming an NBCF Corporate Partner.
Twice a year, Alka Power* changes their Blue Everyday Hydration bottles to the vibrant NBCF Pink for their Drink Pink campaign. The company donates 10 cents to NBCF from every naturally raised high pH9-10 Alka Power Pink bottle sold – helping fund game-changing breast cancer research.
But the team doesn’t stop there. In March 2022, it also joined NBCF’s 55 Squat Challenge, teaming up with local gyms and its local Southern Highlands community to raise even more funds.
With incredible corporate partners like Alka Power in our corner, we can build a much healthier and happier future for people with breast cancer and their families. Thank you, team Alka Power!
ACTIVATES CONSTRUCTION HELPS BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR AUSTRALIANS
Tarah and Adam Hastie have been building dream homes for Brisbane residents since 2005. Now the couple are also helping build hope for Australian families touched by breast cancer.
Tarah and Adam work with many people through their construction business, Activates Construction – from team members and customers to trades and suppliers. And sadly, like most people, a lot of them have been touched by breast cancer.
That’s why the couple has decided to become an NBCF Corporate Partner and help Australians get closer to Zero Deaths from breast cancer. Activates Construction donates $5,000 from every home they sell – and encourages its selling agents to commit another $2,500 after each property settles.
The construction company is also heavily involved in community fundraising, hosting Pink Ribbon Breakfasts for tradies every October. This year it has secured sponsors with the hope to get media coverage for the event.
To raise awareness of the importance of breast cancer research, the company’s staff also wear pink Bisley Workwear all year round.
We’d like to thank Activates Construction for its ongoing support of innovative breast cancer research. Game-changing partners like Activates Construction are helping create a brighter future for the breast cancer community.
“NBCF’s amazing work in funding breast cancer research and its aspirational goal of Zero Deaths from breast cancer is what keeps us motivated. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to make breast cancer a thing of the past?”
– Tarah Hastie, Activates Construction