By Professor Nikola Bowden, Program Director, NSW Regional Cancer Research Network
As 2025 draws to a close, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all NSW Regional Cancer Research Network members, collaborators and partners for your commitment, energy and engagement throughout the year. Together, we have continued to grow a network that is reshaping what cancer research looks like in regional NSW, and it is timely to reflect on the progress we have made.
This year, our Network continued to expand its reach and impact, with more than 375 members now engaged across four Local Health Districts. To date, we have provided $2.75 million in research support, including $1.7 million invested directly into regional cancer projects through competitive funding schemes. These investments enabled 22 new projects, 8 Clinician Research Fellowships, and 72 travel grants, ensuring regional clinicians, researchers and consumers could access key cancer-related events and national forums.
In 2025, the Network represented regional NSW cancer research at a national level. We supported seven cancer consumer representatives to attend the 2025 National Cancer Survivorship Conference, enabling them to build new connections and strengthen the voice of regional consumers in research. NSWRCRN members also contributed to the Cancer Australia Optimal Care Pathway for people living with cancer in rural and remote areas via membership of the national Working Party, and our Senior Research Partner Team showcased our innovative research support model at the Australasian Research Management (ARMS) Conference.
At the heart of our work is a commitment to driving research that delivers real, measurable improvements for people affected by cancer in regional NSW. Our focus has always been on supporting projects that can be translated into better treatments, improved models of care, and more equitable access for our communities. To this effect I am also proud to highlight several research translation achievements from across our Network:
Medical Oncology
- Uracil/5FU assay progressing toward NATA accreditation
A/Prof Jennifer Schneider, UON – Clinician Research Fellow
- At-home bortezomib administration informing clinical guidelines and approval pathways
Jacqui Jagger, CCLHD – Shovel Ready Translational Research Project
Radiation Oncology
- LEILA patient-positioning technology integrated into clinical practice
Professor Joerg Lehmann, Calvary Mater – Shovel Ready Translational Research Project
- VR-based radiation therapy education program expanded across North Coast Cancer Institute, Tweed Valley and Tamworth, with further scaling planned for 2026
Kath Dower, NNSWLHD – Shovel Ready Translational Research Project
Surgical Oncology
- New perioperative care model implemented at John Hunter Hospital and rolled out across five regional sites
Dr Jennifer Mackney, HNELHD – Shovel Ready Translational Research Project
- Patient decision aid for low-risk thyroid cancer now in multisite trial, with NSW Health considering wider implementation
Dr Chris O’Neill, HNELHD – Shovel Ready Translational Research Project
Psychosocial Support and Palliative Care
- Research informing new prescribing guidelines for levetiracetam
Fern Beschi, Calvary Mater – Clinician Research Fellow
- Routine integration of the Death and Dying Distress Scale (DADDS) into clinical practice
Felicity Bates, Mid North Coast LHD – Clinician Research Fellow
- Patient Reported Measures embedded into routine rural cancer care
Alison Hofman, HNELHD/North West Cancer Centre – Shovel Ready Translational Research Project
Dosing Innovation
- Dry-blood spot testing progressing through the PRECISION trial, with broader adoption expected pending MBS funding
Dr Alex Flynn, UON/CCLHD – Shovel Ready Translational Research Project
None of this progress would be possible without the generous support of the Cancer Institute NSW through the Translational Cancer Research Capacity Building Grant. This support continues to strengthen local research capability and drive collaboration across our regional footprint.
As we turn our attention to 2026, we look forward to advancing this momentum—creating new avenues for research, nurturing the next generation of regional research leaders, and driving translational cancer initiatives that deliver meaningful outcomes for our communities.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support as we continue to grow research capability and improve cancer outcomes across northern NSW.