$6.6 million investment into early detection of anal cancer

While anal cancer is rare, the number of people diagnosed has increased in Australia over recent decades ^[1]. 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 NHMRC Targeted Call for Research (TCR): Anal Cancer 2025 grant opportunity, 4 projects will focus on developing and implementing screening methods, innovative preventive strategies, technologies and health promotion approaches to address anal cancer.

Associate 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. 

Rates of anal cancer are increasing and affect more women than men. Treatment for anal cancer can affect sexual function and intimacy but many women and healthcare providers have low awareness and understanding of anal cancer treatment on female sexual function and intimacy. 

WISER aims to address current gaps in health care by making an information resource available within radiation oncology departments to women with anal cancer. The study will evaluate whether the resource improves women’s information needs, sexual function and intimacy, and quality of life.

Other projects receiving funding include:

• Professor Lei Zhang of Monash University will develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted diagnostic and prognostic tools to improve tolerability and accuracy as well as the clinical management of anal cancer.
• Dr Isobel Poynten of the University of New South Wales will compare swab 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 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.’