CANBERRA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Australian experts have identified the six types of cancer which should be prioritized for research.
Scientists from the Sansom Institute of Health Research at the University of South Australia (UniSA) found that the four most common types of cancer; prostate, breast, lung and colorectal, as well as pancreatic and ovarian cancers should be the main focus of cancer research efforts.
They said that in particular, focus should be on biomarker research which would make it possible to identify the molecular fingerprint of a tumor and improve survival.
More than 115 Australian and oncologists and researchers were surveyed by the institute to establish the list.
The six cancers identified are responsible for more than 23,000 deaths in Australia every year according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Ian Olver, director of the Sansom Institute, said fast-tracking biomarker research over the next five years "has the potential to transform cancer care more than anything seen over the past 50 years."
"It's not an exaggeration to say that biomarkers are the silver bullet that can speed up diagnosis and pinpoint the best treatment approach for the patient, maximising the response while minimising toxicities," Olver said in a media release on Tuesday.
Cancer medicines which have been developed to match a biomarker test take twice as long to be added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, Olver said adding that Australia was falling behind on biomarker testing.
"Research and reimbursement of biomarker-driven treatments should be a top priority for government. This is key to improving cancer survival and ensuring we get the best bang for buck," he said.
"Gone are the days of a 'one size fits all' approach where treatment decisions were based solely on tumor type or location. We can now gauge the molecular fingerprint of many cancers, allowing the right treatment to be given to the right patient, at the right time."
