Cancer research challenge

Press, 7 May 1987, Page 28

Cancer research challenge

PA Wellington New Zealand research into basic mechanisms of cancer is well developed and of the highest international quality, says the retiring chairman of the Cancer Society’s national scientific committee, Professor John Gavin. The challenge now is to develop clinically related research to a similar degree, and to identify strategies that could reduce incidence of various types of cancer such as breast, bowel and lung cancer. The new chairman of the scientific committee is Professor Barbara Heslop, of the Otago Medical School. The Cancer Society has made the following grants worth a total of $188,573 for research and educa-

tion on cancer: Dr James Paxton, senior lecturer at Auckland School of Medicine’s clinical pharmacology department, $31,603 for one year to complete investigations into the pharmacology of one of two compounds developed by the Auckland Cancer Research laboratory. Dr Jim Shaw, senior lecturer at Auckland School of Medicine’s surgery department, $18,200 for one year to continue investigations into the causes of weight loss in cancer patients, and to find better methods of treating it. Dr William Wilson and Associate Professor John Prober, of Auckland School of Medicine’s pathology department,

$82,029 over three years to fund continuing research to develop drugs capable of exploiting the lack of oxygen in solid tumours. Miss Winsome Harding, senior lecturer at Massey University’s food technology department, a supplementary grant of $6841 to complete her project to establish a data base of information on composition of raw and manufactured foodstuffs commonly consumed in New Zealand. Action on Smoking and Health, $25,000, to continue its work in publicising the problems of cigarette smoking as a risk to individual health. Mrs Betsy Marshal, of the society’s Auckland division, $lO,OOO to con-

tinue developing a cervical screening package for general . practitioners which will include a video on the taking of cervical smears and options available to women. Professor David Skegg, of Otago Medical School’s preventive and social medicine department, $3900 to fund a working group sponsored by the society and Health Department to review the available evidence on screening for breast cancer and to update existing recommendations. Health Promotion Forum, $ll,OOO to continue the society’s contribution to this organisation which is developing methods of evaluating health promotion programmes.