The Albanese Government is investing $6.6 million to help prevent, diagnose and treat anal cancer.
While anal cancer is rare, the number of people diagnosed has increased in Australia over recent decades.
Specific population groups are at a higher risk of developing anal cancer, including people living with HIV, men who have sex with other men, women with human papillomavirus (HPV) and people with autoimmune diseases.
Administered under the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Targeted Call for Research (TCR): Anal Cancer 2025 grant opportunity, four projects will focus on developing and implementing screening methods, innovative preventive strategies, technologies and health promotion approaches to address anal cancer.
Projects receiving funding include:
- Professor Claudia Rutherford of the University of Sydney will lead the Women’s Initiative for Sexual Health, Education and Raising awareness of anal cancer (WISER) study, which aims to improve information and support for women with anal cancer to address gaps in care around sexual function, intimacy and quality of life.
- Professor Lei Zhang of Monash University will develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted diagnostic and prognostic tools to improve detection and management of anal cancer.
- Dr Isobel Poynten of the University of New South Wales will examine swab-based collection methods as a strategy to increase the uptake of anal cancer screening and investigate a new molecular test which may increase screening accuracy.
- Associate Professor Jonathon Hallett of Curtin University will investigate whether HPV vaccination helps prevent anal cancer in gay, bisexual, queer men and non-binary people who have sex with men.
A TCR is a one-time request for grant applications to address a specific health issue where there is a significant research knowledge gap or unmet need.
Full details of the researchers and projects funded are available to download on NHMRC’s outcomes of funding rounds page.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“Every year, about 615 Australians will receive an anal cancer diagnosis and unfortunately, we know that this number has increased in recent times.
“Investing in this research is one critical action we’re taking towards enhancing diagnostic testing, screening, treatment and prevention of cancer to improve health outcomes of patients diagnosed with this deadly disease.”
Quotes attributable to NHMRC CEO Professor Steve Wesselingh:
“NHMRC’s Targeted Calls for Research are an ideal mechanism to stimulate research to help address an unmet health need, such as improving health outcomes for people diagnosed with anal cancer, or preventing further rises in the incidence of disease in the Australian community.
“The projects funded will produce research that strengthens our evidence base, increases health literacy among consumers, improves understanding of and access to cancer screening technologies, and deepens our understanding of risk factors that contribute to the development of anal cancer.”