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Researching new ways to fight chemotherapy-resistant Triple-negative breast cancer, Dr Jodi Saunus and her colleagues at Mater Research are bringing new hope to the 20,000 Australian women who are diagnosed with breast cancer each year according to Cancer Australia.
Every day, more than 55 Australian women hear the devastating words, "You have breast cancer". Meanwhile, eight women – mothers, daughters, sisters and friends – tragically lose their fight against the disease each day.
Breast cancer is not just one disease, there are different types which grow at different rates and can be diagnosed at different stages. This means that no two women go on the same breast cancer journey.
Thanks to early diagnosis programs and improved treatment options, the overall five-year survival rate is more than 95 per cent. However, some subtypes of breast cancer remain difficult to treat.
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a fast-growing subtype that has variable responses to chemotherapy. It accounts for only 10 per cent of all new diagnoses in Queensland, but is a significant cause of death amongst younger patients, accounting for around half of all early deaths in women diagnosed under 40 years of age according to a new study in the Journal of Cancer Policy.
Dr Jodi Saunus and her colleagues at Mater Research are trying to unlock new diagnostics for at-risk patients, and working towards the development of new treatment pathways for patients who are not well matched to traditional options.
Their research has the potential to impact the way TNBC is managed, including the development of new drugs to improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy on tumours.
The team is working with Mater patients to compare different types of breast tissue, as part of an ambitious new project to decode a range of mysteries around TNBC susceptibility and chemotherapy response.
"Because our team spans across breast cancer research, clinical care and bioinformatics, we are in an incredible position to do this work," Dr Saunus says.
"This study is allowing us to dive deeper into the epigenomics of human breast tumours than ever before, so the chances of discovering entirely new information about breast cancer are very high."
The Mater Foundation has funded crucial Australian cancer research for more than 20 years, supporting ground-breaking medical research and leading patient care services in the community.
In 2023, Mater Foundation Queensland provided more than $30.9 million in funding for projects across Mater Health, Mater Education and Mater Research. The result is the improvement of treatment, care and outcomes for all.
The Mater Cars for Cancer lottery supports Australia cancer research and assists people like Dr Saunus to develop world-leading treatment options in the fight with cancer.
Whether it’s rugged wilderness or the open road, the all-new redesigned seven-seat LandCruiser Prado Kakadu is built for boundless exploration. With its leather-accented interior, including heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, this 4x4 is designed to transform any journey into a first-class adventure.
With a 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine and eight-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, the LandCruiser Prado Kakadu offers a remarkable 3.5-tonne towing capacity.
Meanwhile, the luxurious Essential Caravans Cruiser F2-6 21’10” sports a sleek silver-and-black design along with spacious interior which redefines comfort on-the-go. It features 235/75R15 all-terrain tyres for getting off the beaten track.
This epic home away from home features a queen bed and two bunks, along with a fabulous kitchen including a stove, oven, sink, fridge and microwave.
In the back, a huge $220K in gold bullion rounds out an incredible $430K first prize package to help finance the ultimate great escape.
Every Mater Cars for Cancer ticket goes into the draw to win the ultimate first prize package. People who buy three or more tickets go into the bonus Multi Ticket $5000 draw.
VIPs with a monthly membership gain automatic entry into all Cars for Cancer draws, along with exclusive VIP draws for $1000 gift cards (drawn weekly) and $10,000 in cashable gold bullion (drawn twice per game).
Every Mater Cars for Cancer ticket changes lives, supporting the work of Dr Saunus and her team in the fight to combat aggressive cancers like TNBC.
"This innovative project has great potential to impact the way TNBC is managed, including the development of new drugs," Dr Saunus says.
Her work provides hope for a future where alternative cancer treatments with proven efficacy become available to help save lives, both here in Australia and across the globe.
