‘Silent killer’: $15.8m for breakthrough medical research to save lives

The sister of a woman who passed away after a long health battle has backed groundbreaking new research.

Professor Carlos Salomon said this research was eight years in the making. Picture: Supplied

The Federal Government will provide $15.8 million in funding to support 11 groundbreaking research projects to improve health and medical outcomes for Australian families, with seven of the projects based in Queensland.

Key research areas included in the multimillion-dollar investment and based out of the sunshine state include ovarian cancer, diabetes, maternal and peri-natal health, children with OCD and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

Assistant Minister for health and aged care Ged Kearney said the Albanese Government’s contribution will support the research industry and help save lives.

“As a former nurse, I know just how important research can be for medical breakthroughs to support patients and families,” he said.

Elsa Larsen and her sister Kristen who passed away from her six year battle with ovarian cancer in 2019. Picture: Supplied

Dubbed as ‘the silent killer’ among women, University of Queensland researcher Professor Carlos Salomon and his team are hoping to change the survival rate of ovarian cancer with their new test for early detection.

“When you are able to identify women’s early stages of ovarian cancer, the five year survival rate is over 90 per cent which is dramatically different when the cancer is identified in stage three and four … where this 90 per cent survival rate drops to 25 per cent,” Professor Salomon said.

“The challenge of this particular cancer is it’s asymptomatic, so we need to be able to try to identify these women as early as possible.”

For families such as Elsa Larsen – whose sister Kristen died of ovarian cancer at the age of 27 after a six year battle – this funding could not come at a better time for women whose lives would change if it entered into a clinical setting.

“It’s got so much promise,” Ms Larsen said.

Elsa has followed in her sisters footsteps becoming an advocate for increased awareness, funds for research, and ultimately improved outcomes for women in the future. Picture: Supplied

“I think having an early detection test would be a game changer, and to think that here in Queensland we can achieve that would be just so inspiring – I know it would mean a lot to Kristen.”

“We have an incredible opportunity to really make our mark on the world again in this space, we did it with cervical cancer … and Australia has the opportunity here to lead the way.”