Professor Bogda Koczwara AM will drive innovation at UNSW Sydney and Cancer Council NSW's Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship.
Medical oncologist and cancer survivorship expert Professor Bogda Koczwara has been appointed Director of the Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship.
The centre, created through a joint investment of $40 million from UNSW and Cancer Council NSW, was established last year with a focus on improving the care and wellbeing of cancer survivors.
"I'm excited to be leading the Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship to drive the concerted effort to improve survivorship outcomes for Australian cancer survivors, today and into the future," Prof. Koczwara said.
"Australia leads the world in cancer survival rates. Our challenge is to ensure that we also lead the way in the quality of cancer survival, for every survivor.
"This role will bring together the best expertise in cancer survivorship from Australia and the world, to amplify the research that is not just innovative, but truly impactful for cancer survivors."
It's estimated there are currently more than 1.2 million people living with and beyond cancer in Australia. Many survivors have long-term physical and mental health needs stemming from their treatment.
"It is important that survivors understand what to expect and are provided with the right information and support at the right time," Prof. Koczwara said.
A global leader in survivorship research
An internationally recognised leader in the field, Prof. Koczwara's new role builds on her distinguished career as a senior staff specialist in medical oncology at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide and leader of the Survivorship Research Program at Flinders University Health and Medical Research Institute.
She has played a key role in advancing cancer survivorship care, establishing one of Australia's first dedicated programs and contributing to progress in areas such as epidemiology, self-management support, and the use of patient-reported outcomes in cancer care.
At Flinders University Health and Medical Research Institute, Prof. Koczwara established the hospital's medical oncology department, which now supports Adelaide's southern region. Her groundbreaking initiatives include the development of health interventions for cancer survivors in the areas of symptom monitoring, work after cancer, and cardio-oncology which have profoundly impacted cancer care and research.
Prof. Koczwara's leadership extends globally. She chairs the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer Psychosocial Study Group and the International Cardio-oncology Society Survivorship Working Group and convenes the Global Partnership on Self-management in Cancer. She is the initiator of the Australia Asia Pacific Clinical Oncology Research Development, a collaborative of international cancer organisations which builds research capacity across the region.
"We're delighted to welcome Professor Bogda Koczwara as the inaugural Director of the Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship," UNSW Dean of Medicine & Health Professor Cheryl Jones said.
"Her exceptional global research and clinical leadership in cancer survivorship will be pivotal in driving innovative research and delivering meaningful improvements in the care and wellbeing of cancer survivors.
"This new collaborative centre will be led from UNSW's Health Translation Hub and highlights our strong partnership with Cancer Council NSW and our shared commitment to transforming survivorship care. We are excited to see it become a model for best practice both nationally and internationally under Professor Koczwara."
Professor Sarah Hosking, Cancer Council NSW CEO, says that under the directorship of Professor Koczwara the Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship will make lasting change to the lives of cancer survivors.
"With her wealth of experience in the cancer survivorship space, Professor Koczwara will help the research centre guide practice, services and policy in cancer survivorship across NSW and act as a model for other Australian states and territories as well as internationally. This centre aims to not just drive research, but real-world impact for cancer survivors, using real-world experience that Professor Koczwara brings to this important role," Prof. Hosking said.
"Thanks to advances in cancer research, prevention, early detection and treatment, more people than ever before are surviving cancer. This is a vital step as we work to ensure a better quality of life for cancer survivors."
The centre will leverage the existing expertise of two leading institutions - Cancer Council NSW, Australia's largest cancer charity, and UNSW, as well as building new capacity to drive research, education and advocacy in cancer survivorship.
Critically, the centre will partner with consumers and industry to develop, test, implement and evaluate ambitious solutions that address critical issues for cancer survivors. A major focus of the work will be breaking down barriers to access in regional and rural settings and greater engagement with primary care.
Cancer survivorship
With survival rates improving, there is a growing need to ensure that cancer survivors receive ongoing, high-quality care tailored to their individual needs.
Quality cancer survivorship care can involve:
- Promotion of healthy lifestyle and wellbeing
- Support and monitoring for physical, emotional, social and practical effects of cancer and cancer treatment
- Monitoring to detect cancer coming back and new cancers
- Management of any other health conditions
- Self-management support and coordinated care between all health professionals involved
If you need to talk about cancer, call Cancer Council on 13 11 20
