MISSION TO RAISE AWARENESS OF SARCOMA AND CLINICAL TRIAL FUNDING Research lagging for sarcoma, despite accounting for one third of adolescent cancer deaths
With
Associate Professor Jeremy Lewin, Medical Oncologist,
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre & Medical Director,
Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Service &
Research & Education Lead – Sarcoma, VCCC Alliance
Dr Vivek Bhadri,
Paediatric and Adolescent Medical Oncologist
Chris O’Brien Lifehouse & Westmead Public Hospital &
Board Director
Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association (ANZSA)
AUSTRALIAN HEALTH JOURNAL SEGMENT
Filmed in Sydney & Melbourne | September 2025
Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, remains the deadliest cancer for children and young adults, accounting for nearly one third (30%) of cancer-related deaths among those aged 15–24 and one tenth (10%) of those aged 0–14. Further, still severely under-diagnosed, sarcoma only accounts for one sixth (15%) of all cancer diagnoses in the 15 – 24 age group, and less than a tenth (8%) among children under 10.
Despite this, public awareness and research funding for sarcoma funding remain critically low, with sarcoma receiving just $4.6m in funding for research in 2018-2020 – compared to the tens of millions other cancers receive. Sarcoma gets only a tiny fraction of funding for research that more common cancers receive, despite having the same costs to conduct studies.
The lack of funding reflects long-term survival rates for sarcoma which remain concerningly low, at just a 50% 10-year survival rate, while five-year survival rates for common cancers such as prostate and breast cancer have increased to over 90% in the past four decades (96% and 92% respectively).
Accounting for just 1% of all adult cancer diagnoses, sarcomas are rare and complex cancers that form in bone, cartilage or soft tissue8. There are over 100 different subtypes of sarcoma, which each require their own diagnostic and treatment pathways, which is why continued research is essential to improving patient outcomes.
Research indicates sarcomas are misdiagnosed in nearly one third (30%) of cases, emphasising the importance of ongoing research to support diagnostic developments, alongside improvements in patient treatment and management pathways.
Source: Australian and New Zealand Sarcoma Association (ANZSA) media release 1 July 2025
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Role of milk in cognitive function and quality of life in older adults
New research emphasises the role of cows’ milk, particularly A1 protein free milk, in enhancing cognitive function and quality of life for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A multi-centre, double-blinded, randomised controlled clinical study published in *The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging* evaluated 88 milk-tolerant Chinese adults aged 65-75 over three months. Participants consumed either ordinary skim milk or A1 protein free skim milk, leading to improvements in various cognitive assessments.
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Alfred Hospital leading in pharmacy services for critically unwell patients
Cristina Roman, is the Lead Pharmacist at Alfred Emergency Trauma Centre. In her 12 years working in the Emergency Department, Cristina has established pharmacy services, and filled gaps in patient care with new models of care.
One of those models of care adopted by the US and other countries, is involving pharmacists for critically unwell patients that present to the emergency department.
Australian Health Journal spoke with Cristina Roman and Lisa Bremner, Advanced Training Resident Pharmacist at Alfred Hospital Emergency Trauma Centre.
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Investments to address health inequities in Prostate Cancer Care
Income, education, geographical location, and discrimination based on ethnicity, race, gender and sexual orientation, are only a fraction of factors that can negatively affect a person’s quality of cancer care. This is defined as the “equity gap” and it’s costing people their lives.
Timed to coincide with World Cancer Day 4th February 2025, Movember announced prostate cancer investment of $5.5 million. Eighteen grants (16 proposals and 2 community development grants) are slated to directly tackle inequities in prostate cancer care. The funding will be over three years with the grants spread across five countries – six in Canada, five in the United Kingdom, three in Australia, three in the United States and one in Ireland – each having a specific focus population and care area.
