Cancer research and funding in Western Australia: An overview from 2008 to 2010

Funding for cancer research plays a vital role in improving all aspects of cancer care and, thus, cancer-related outcomes. To identify strengths and gaps in current cancer research activities in Western Australia, an audit of all competitive funding for cancer research undertaken in Western Australia during 2008-2010 was conducted. The Commonwealth Government was identified as the most significant contributor to competitive cancer research funding, however the amount received by Western Australian researchers was much less than by other states such as New South Wales and Victoria. These states also attract larger amounts of international funding. The broad research areas that received the most funding were biology and treatment. Most cancer research projects focused on multiple tumour sites or were basic science projects. Relative to their burden of disease, some tumour types such as liver, oesophageal, ovarian and pancreatic cancer may be underfunded. To increase the success of Western Australian cancer researchers at a national and international level, support and capacity building is needed at a local level. Identified research priorities with targeted support should be integrated into cancer planning to ensure the development of research capacity in areas of most need.