Cancer patients across the New England will have greater access to potentially life-saving treatments, with the North West Cancer Centre in Tamworth receiving a major funding boost to expand clinical trial services across the region.
As part of the NSW Labor Government’s $800,000 investment to increase access to cancer clinical trials in rural and regional NSW, the North West Cancer Centre’s Oncology Clinical Trials and Research Unit manager, Dr Alexandra Smith, has been awarded almost $200,000 to develop a framework for delivering trial services remotely throughout the New England–North West.
The funding, announced by Minister for Medical Research David Harris, will help build the capacity and capability of the local clinical trials unit, including developing local resources, recruiting a research professional, and educating staff to better support patients to participate in trials.
Dr Smith said the grant will help ensure that more regional patients can take part in cutting-edge research without needing to travel long distances.
“We want to ensure as many patients as possible have access to cancer clinical trials, which could mean a treatment that might not have been available to them otherwise, or an opportunity to be part of research that will help other patients down the track,” she said.
“In the New England–North West of NSW, we have a different sociodemographic profile to bigger metro sites – so it’s hugely significant for us to be able to harness and build on our local capacity to better include patients from more rural and remote areas in clinical trials.”
Tamworth resident and clinical trial participant Kate Jones said being able to access her trial locally made a world of difference.
“I was so happy to be offered a place in a clinical trial after my bowel cancer diagnosis in 2014. The trial, which focused on my physical wellbeing, was my safety net,” she said.
“The network of people who are involved in trials and their support are really important in regional communities. The trials give people who have finished their treatment and may not necessarily be looked at for months or years, extra support, and that’s so important, even if it’s not physically, just emotionally.”
Minister Harris said the grants would make clinical trials more equitable and accessible for all patients.
“The Clinical Trials Fellowships are key to ensuring equitable access to cancer clinical trials across the state, particularly in our regions and in under-represented populations and I look forward to seeing the outcomes of this research,” he said.
NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW, Professor Tracey O’Brien AM, said access to research can make a critical difference for patients.
“Strengthening research capacity and making cancer clinical trials accessible to everyone, no matter where they live, is key to improving cancer outcomes across NSW,” Professor O’Brien said.
“Clinical trials don’t just benefit individual patients; they serve entire communities and can be a lifeline for those facing cancer. Every person diagnosed with cancer deserves to be informed of their options, and these grants are helping to ensure that happens.”
The fellowships are part of the Cancer Institute NSW’s $5 million annual investment in cancer clinical trials for children and adults, aimed at improving access and outcomes for patients across the state.
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