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BREAST CANCER INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA
The Breast Cancer Institute of Australia (BCIA) aims to decrease the suffering of women and their families by supporting clinical trials research that identifies safe and effective treatments for women diagnosed with breast cancer and prevention strategies for all women.
Clinical trials are the only scientifically valid way to test the safety and benefit of new treatments before they are made widely available.
Twenty seven years ago, 65 in 100 women in Australia diagnosed with breast cancer would eventually die from the disease. The need to establish a collaborative national research approach to improve this situation was urgent. Hence, in 1978 the Australian New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group (ANZ BCTG) was formed.
Today, more than 90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer at its earliest stage go on to lead normal, healthy lives.
Clinical trials research has directly contributed to this remarkable improvement in survival, however, we need to improve the outcome for every woman diagnosed with breast cancer.
Clinical trials may take several years to complete, but they are completed more quickly when more resources are available. At present in Australia, less than 8% of women have the opportunity to participate in breast cancer clinical trials.
The ANZ BCTG has received support for its clinical trials research programs from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for more than 25 years. This support is received after an independent peer review process and confirms the quality of ANZ BCTG research.
This funding however, only supports a small number of our current clinical trials and is specific to individual trials. Substantial infrastructure funding is also required, particularly to allow important new research to commence without delays.
We must rely on the generosity of the community and industry to meet the costs of maintaining the current trials, commencement costs for new trials and to support the essential infrastructure required to conduct the research program.
The Breast Cancer Institute of Australia was established in 1994 by the Board of Directors of the ANZ BCTG to increase awareness and funding for the ANZ BCTG clinical trials research program. It is an operating division of the ANZ BCTG.
The BCIA seeks corporate and public support for the ANZ BCTG research program through the conduct of a number of national fundraising activities and programs. The BCIA and the ANZ BCTG are licensed to fundraise in each State and Territory. |
