Breast and Surgical Oncology is very committed to cancer research. It is conducting a number of its own original research projects and is also involved in recruiting to Australian and International clinical trials in melanoma and breast cancer. The clinicians have authored many research papers in international scientific journals and they are regularly invited to present their work at medical conferences. They are also involved in ongoing self-audit of their clinical results to ensure a continuing high standard of care.

Current research projects

• ROSALIE: De-escalation of radiation therapy in women with node negative early breast cancer who have had a complete response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.
• PROSPECTIVE: De-escalation of radiation therapy in women with early breast cancer based on MRI findings before, and pathology features at surgery.
• EXPERT: Personalised radiation therapy in early breast cancer.
• AllClear research program: Led by the Garvan Institute, AllClear focuses on cells that cause breast cancer relapse. The long term goal is to prevent relapse through the development of predictive tools and new therapies.
• EVICT: Translational research testing a range of compounds on breast cancer cells in the laboratory to prioritise drug development.
• Retrospective review of treatment and outcomes for men with breast cancer in Australia, Korea and Japan.
• Developing and evaluating new surgical techniques for melanoma and breast cancer surgery.

Past research projects

• POSNOC: Examining treatment to the armpit in women with early-stage breast cancer who have metastases in one or two sentinel nodes.
• Breast MRI Evaluation: Evaluation of when and how the use of breast MRI improves clinical decision making and patient outcomes.
• WinPro: Evaluation of a combination of hormone treatments that may be useful as pre-surgery treatment for early breast cancer.
• ANZ TAD Registry: A snapshot of how the Targeted Axillary Dissection surgical technique is used across Australia and New Zealand.
• Improving access to breast reconstruction in Australia
• Breast reconstruction: Immediate breast reconstruction and radiotherapy
• Quality of life following mastectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer
• Survivorship care planning in breast cancer

Publications

Our specialists are all involved in research projects in addition to their clinical practice. Our researchers have authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications in local and international journals.

Supervision for researchers

Supervision is available for researchers of all levels wanting to undertake a project. This includes:

• Honours projects for medical students
• Fellows and junior doctors undertaking research
• Masters and PhD projects for post-graduate research degree candidates

For enquires about research

Email Prof Andrew Spillane at andrew.spillane@melanoma.org.au or contact us by telephone on (02) 9911 7250

Support our research fund

Donations to our Research Fund are very much appreciated. All donations are used to support research at Breast and Surgical Oncology at the Poche Centre.

Cheques should be made out to “Friends of the Mater Hospital Foundation for BSOPC Research” and be posted (or hand delivered) to:

Breast and Surgical Oncology at the Poche Centre Research Fund
Suite 2, The Poche Centre
40 Rocklands Rd, North Sydney, 2060

Electronic donations can also be made. Please contact Kate Davies to organise transfer of funds to our Research Account.

Call. (02) 9911 7250
Email. bso.admin@melanoma.org.au

Donations over $2 are tax deductible.

A tax deductible receipt will come from FOTM.