Cancer Council SA has launched the Beat Cancer Project - a strategic cancer research partnership with SA Health and SA’s soon-to-be flagship research facility the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).

The Beat Cancer Project has one vision – to bring us closer than ever to a future without cancer.....and we have every reason to believe it.

Thanks to the contribution of cancer research, over the last 20 years in Australia we have seen:

• Cancer deaths fall by approx. 14% 
• survival rates for many common cancers increase by as much as 30%

Thanks to your generous donations, Cancer Council SA will invest $10 million into the Beat Cancer Project over the next five years, to be matched by SA Health, creating a pool of funds totalling $20 million – making it the single largest source of funding for cancer research and infrastructure within our state.

Through investing these funds with SAHMRI, the Beat Cancer Project will provide a more focused, strategic and collaborative way of delivering cancer research funds than ever before.

The Beat Cancer Project will not only  ensure that the donations given by our generous supporters are strategically targeted to cancer research projects that are needed most it will also ensure that the research being undertaken is of the highest standard.

This is a significant investment that demonstrates Cancer Council SA’s unwavering commitment to finding more ways to beat cancer and improving the quality of life and survival outcomes for people living with cancer.

Research is already underway
The Beat Cancer Project is wasting no time with over 31 research initiatives already funded (12 project grants; six fellowships and 13 infrastructure grants) covering a broad spectrum of cancer related topics including biology, aetiology, prevention, treatment, early detection and survivorship.

Some of the types of cancer currently being investigated as part of these research projects include: breast; oesophageal; prostate; ovarian; bowel and blood – some of the most common cancers affecting South Australians.

This body of research will continue to grow as the Beat Cancer Project builds in capacity over the coming months and years, searching for breakthroughs to improve survival outcomes and quality of life for people living with cancer.

For information on Cancer Council SA’s vision and activities see our Strategic Plan 2012-2015.