Milestones in Cancer Research

Lung cancer is one of the five most commonly diagnosed cancers in Australia, and causes more deaths than any other type of cancer. There are two types of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, with the latter being the more common form of the disease.

Although childhood cancers are rare compared with cancer in adults, they remain the leading cause of disease-related death in people aged 1 to 15 years. Thanks to research, survival rates for childhood cancers have significantly improved over the last few decades.

Skin cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the skin. Skin cancers are often classified into two groups: melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, the latter being less likely to spread throughout the body.

Bowel cancer, also called colorectal cancer, begins when cells that line the colon or rectum in the bowel (large intestine) change and begin to grow out of control, forming a tumour. If detected early, bowel cancer is considered one of the most treatable types of cancers.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer type in women. It forms in tissues of the breast, and it can occur at any age. Thanks to research, survival rates for breast cancer are among the most improved of all types of cancer.

Prostate cancer develops in the prostate gland below the bladder. This gland is responsible for making and storing seminal fluid. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men.

There are many types of cancer affecting different cells or organs in the body. Sustained research is helping to reduce both incidence and mortality rates for all of these cancer types by finding better ways to detect, manage and treat the disease. View a list of cancer types, located on the Australian Cancer Research Foundation website.