Research News from Australia and the U.S.
On November 20, 2006, Australia's new National Research Center for Asbestos-Related Diseases (NRCARD) will be opened at the University of Western Australia (WA) in Perth, Western Australia. The choice of location reflects the ground-breaking work on various aspects of the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of asbestos-related diseases being done in WA.1 The aims of NRCARD are to:
“provide a platform to build on Australia's existing research expertise, to provide a focus for collaboration amongst Australia's leading researchers in the asbestos-related diseases area, and to encourage strong organisational and research linkages with various research institutions to ensure that research is systematic and compliments existing research efforts.”2
As part of the Australian Government's Strengthening Cancer Care Initiative, $6.2 million has been allocated to set up the center and provide funding for 3 years for 11 research projects which will be undertaken in WA, Victoria and Queensland.
Just two weeks before the Center opened, the Third Perth Mesothelioma Centre Symposium was held in Subiaco, Perth by WA's Cancer Council, Clinical Oncology Group and the Slater & Gordon Asbestos Research Trust. Speakers from the U.S. and France joined Australian colleagues to explore new developments in the clinical management and associated research areas of mesothelioma. At least two of the speakers in this symposium were present at the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (IMIG) conference which took place in Chicago on October 19-21, 2006 and attracted hundreds of speakers and delegates.3 Some of the participants at the IMIG event also took part in an International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma 2006 on October 20 & 21; their presentations can be viewed on-line at: http://www.marf.org/Events/SymSlides.html
November 17, 2006
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1 See: " Major Research Initiative in Australia
2 http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/funding/funded/outcomes/asbestos.htm
3 http://www.imig.org/IMIGWebApp/HomePage.aspmx
