Researchers at the Menzies Research Institute Tasmania now have access to some of the world's leading cancer technology, thanks to a $1.1 million grant from the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF).

Researchers at the Menzies Research Institute Tasmania now have access to some of the world's leading cancer technology, thanks to a $1.1 million grant from the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF).

Minister of Health, Michelle O'Byrne will today [1.15pm, September 28] open the ACRF Tasmanian Inherited Cancer Centre at the University of Tasmania's Medical Science 1 building.

"The growing burden of cancer in Tasmania means we need new approaches to research, and better ways to deliver treatment services," Ms O'Byrne said.

"The Tasmanian Inherited Cancer Research Centre, made possible by the ACRF grant, will help our researchers lead the fight against cancer."

One in three Australians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.

The new ACRF Tasmanian Inherited Cancer Centre focuses on cancers in which family history is a high risk factor. These include prostate cancer and blood cancers such as leukaemia.

"Inherited cancers account for five to 10 per cent of all cancers," said ACRF chair, Tom Dery.

"The ACRF Tasmanian Inherited Cancer Centre is a world class facility that brings together geneticists, biologists, clinicians and ethicists from across Tasmania who are committed to identifying genes that predispose people to cancer," he said.

"The Menzies cancer research program is a gift from Tasmania, not only to the rest of Australia, but to the world.

"The work done at the ACRF Tasmanian Inherited Cancer Centre will do much to lift the shadow of fear from those with a family history of cancer," Mr Dery said.

The new Centre houses a customised robot that rapidly screens for potential genetic markers important to identifying the onset and progress of disease as well as a laser microscope that can select individual cells and chromosomes.

"The ACRF Tasmanian Inherited Cancer Centre enables our researchers to fast track their crucial research into preventing or finding better treatments for inherited cancers," Director of Menzies, Professor Simon Foote said.

"The ACRF Centre also provides our researchers with advanced IT infrastructure for our genealogical database and genetic analyses, enabling us to take advantage of the latest advances in gene analysis technology," he said.

"This is not only vital for our current research programs but also vital for the expansion of our program to include other cancers.

"This new technology can save us years of research and boost better outcomes for people with cancer.

"These advances would not be possible without the support of organisations such as the Australian Cancer Research Foundation," Professor Foote said.

Information Released by:

Fiona Horwood, Communications Manager

Phone: 6226 7751 Mobile: 0409 357 384

Email: Fiona.Horwood@menzies.utas.edu.au

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