Cancer research

Researchers at Westmead are working to improve treatments and ultimately find cures for a range of cancers, including breast cancer, skin cancers, ovarian cancer, bowel cancer and leukaemia.

Our cancer research is focused on understanding cell growth, our body's natural defences against cancer, and on the relationship between viruses and cancer.

Highlights

The Westmead Institute for Cancer Research is a leader in research into the prevention, treatment and cure of cancers that commonly affect Australians.

  • Researchers have made significant progress in understanding why people contract melanoma
  • Researchers are exploring what makes different melanomas behave unpredictably, causing some people to respond well to treatments and others to respond poorly
  • Investigations into acute lymphoblastic leukaemia -- the most common childhood cancer -- are underway to try to inhibit molecules that allow the cancer cells to grow
  • Research is underway into the role of 'tumor suppressor genes' in colorectal and breast cancers
  • The unit is also studying the influence of the ovarian steroid hormones, estrogen and progesterone, in breast cancer

 

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    Little rainbows along the way

    Colleen is an inspiration to her family.  Read about Colleen's story here >>