Familial Cancer Research Group
Familial Cancer Research Group
The Familial Cancer Research Group is part of the Familial Cancer Unit. The
Familial Cancer Unit is the genetic counselling arm of the State’s Familial
Cancer Service and provides genetic assessment, testing, counselling, and surveillance
advice to people at increased genetic risk of developing cancer. The Research
Group is involved in studies of the cause, epidemiology, impact, and prevention
of familial cancer.
Current research
- kConFab. This is a multi-centre of Australasian study of familial
breast and ovarian cancer. Families with this disorder are recruited through
familial cancer clinics. Demographic information, clinical details, and blood
and tumour samples are collected from the families to provide a resource of
biospecimens and data for use by researchers in Australasia and overseas.
The South Australian node of this study is funded by the NHMRC and the Cancer
Council South Australia. See http://www.kconfab.org
- Australian Colorectal Cancer Families Study. This is a similar multi-centre
study of familial bowel cancer. A resource of biospecimens and data is being
collected from families with familial bowel cancer. This study is funded by
the National Institute of health in the USA as part of an international research
program. See http://www.uq.net.au/~zzaccfs/
- Australian Familial Haematological Cancer Study. Leukaemia, lymphoma,
and other haematological malignancies are usually sporadic and not familial
disorders. However, there are some families with an underlying genetic predisposition
to develop these types of cancer. This South Australian-based study is developing
a resource of biospecimens and data from families with familial haematological
cancers for use in genetic research.
- The Research Group is involved in a number of other smaller studies, usually
in collaboration with researchers at other hospitals or universities.
Key personnel
Research staff
Dr Graeme Suthers
Head, Familial Cancer Unit
Tel 08-81616995
Fax 08-81617984
Email suthersg@mail.wch.sa.gov.au
Ms Meryl Altree
Senior Research Nurse
Tel 08-8161 6821
Email altreem@mail.wch.sa.gov.au
Ms Susan Schulz
Research Nurse
Tel 08-8161 6393
Email schulzs@mail.wch.sa.gov.au
Ms Kerry Phillips
Research Nurse
Tel 08-8161 6124
Email phillipsk@mail.wch.sa.gov.au
Contact Information
Unit Head
Dr Graeme Suthers
Head, Familial Cancer Unit
Tel 08-81616995
Fax 08-81617984
Email suthersg@mail.wch.sa.gov.au
Location
Familial Cancer Unit
Samuel Way Building (Level 7)
Women's and Children's Hospital
72 King William Road
North Adelaide
South Australia
Mailing Address
Familial Cancer Unit
Women’s & Children’s Hospital
North Adelaide SA 5006
Phone/Fax/Email
Tel 08-8161 6995
Fax 08-8161 7984
Email famcancer@mail.wch.sa.gov.au
Acknowledgements
NHMRC
Cancer Council SA
Cecilia Kilkeary Foundation
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