Research

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of incidence and the third highest death rate from breast cancer in the western world. In order to put a stop to this epidemic there are four key areas of work that the Breast Cancer Research Trust focuses on:

• Early detection
• Predective diagnosis
• Appropriate treatment
• Prevention

Breast cancer statistics have indicated that early detection through breast screening has been proven to substantially increase chances of survival in breast cancer. However detection methods are still relatively crude (as anyone who has had a mammogram recently will vouch for!). Unfortunately self examination misses most early stage cancers formed prior to a significant breast lump developing and by the time cancer has developed to the point of lumps being evident through self exam the cancer is often well advanced.

The Research Trust is always looking for projects to fund that promise more effective and accurate methods of detection and has funded 2 specific grants in this area looking at alternative scanning methodologies.

If early detection is a key factor in breast cancer survival, predictive diagnosis is the ultimate in early detection work. As types of breast cancer are being differentiated by science, the opportunities are increasing to be able to predict an individual’s propensity to develop certain types of breast cancer. This science is already available for people with a high genetic pre-disposition to breast cancer.

Through the science that is developing capability in predictive diagnosis it is also becoming increasingly clear that the most effective treatments for breast cancer in the future will focus on targeted treatment therapies developed specifically for the individual type of breast cancer present. This is the area that the Breast Cancer Research Trust feels offers the best chance for the biggest impact on breast cancer treatment modalities and survival rates. This methodology is the same science that has produced Herceptin and Tamoxifin, targeting estrogen receptors in breast cancers. Recent developments in epidemiology and genomics indicate that there are bigger prizes to be had in this area. It is also hoped that targeted treatments will be less physically radical and damaging for women as the current treatments including mastectomy, partial mastectomy or in cases of metastasis to lymph nodes, lymphectomy.

Prevention is the final plank to the Breast Cancer Research Trust’s research vision. An individual’s propensity to contract Breast Cancer is impacted by over 200 lifestyle factors. One of the roles of the Breast Cancer Research Trust is to ensure that, while we publish a global perspective on factors that may impact breast cancer, we only endorse those lifestyle changes that are scientifically and irrefutably proven to be primary causes of the disease, click here to visit our Myth Busters page.

A summary of the Trust’s research strategy is detailed below. This illustrates the funding focus of the Trust and reflects the direction in which we believe cancer research is developing that is most likely to offer a solution to Breast Cancer within the next 10 years.

Strategy

To primarily invest in seed and translational research focused on improving targeted treatment therapies to improve lifestyle and survival rates of breast cancer victims.

In order to deliver a cure within the next 10 years, the Trust believes that it needs to focus its research investments on an integrated research strategy that will provide stability of funding in the following areas:

• Seed and translational research. The Trust will partner with external organisations to ensure that translational resaearch is funded to human trial and commercialisation of outcomes.
• Genetics and genomics. New Zealand has a strength in this area of science which gives us a critical advantage in terms of discovery.
• Tumour profiling and the understanding of molecular pathways of tumours. Understanding the pathology of tumours is key to making correct diagnosis and therefore being able to target treatment appropiately.
• Targeted therapeutics in the fields of genetics, genomics and endocrinology including pathology, discovery, apostasis and metastasis triggers.
• Biological scanning and testing specific to the areas of genetics, genomics and endocrinology as a means to use diagnostics for early identification of high risk individuals.
• Any reasearch that is likely to result in current science and technology being used more effectively to directly impact the quality of life and chance of survival of women in New Zealand.
• Clinically applicable and translatable research programmes.

The Trust will focus its investment on a small number of networked key laboratories and scientific institutions. It chooses medium to high risk projects in its core areas of investment as identified above, in order to trigger radical results and to step change clinically relevant projects.

As part of this investment we believe there is a real opportunity to drive improved co-operation between research centres through a web-based virtual centre of excellence for research scientists affiliated with the Trust that allows scientists to confidentially share knowledge and information that might assist their research programs. In addition, to extend the brains trust in New Zealand we believe it is critical to continue to facilitate global key speaker forums that act as information sharing catalysts within the New Zealand scientific community.

Please click here to view Overseas and Local Research information recommended for communication by key researchers and Trustee, John Harman.

The Breast Cancer Research Trust currently has several major funding initiatives. These are in partnership with The University of Auckland, University of Otago, University of Canterbury, Auckland District Health Board, St Marks Womans Health and the Liggins Institute, Auckland. We are currently funding several research projects which are led by world class researchers all of whom have signed up to the Trust’s vision of a cure in the next decade. 

Should you wish to apply for funding from The Breast Cancer Research Trust, please contact admin@breastcancercure.org.nz for an application form.

The Trust's Scientific Advisory Panel evaluate each grant application against criteria covering originality, scientific merit, deliverability, the researchers track record and it's relevance to New Zealand.