$15m win for research into early onset cancer

Rates of cancers in adults under 50 are rising significantly, but seven Australian research projects hope to find out why – and improve detection and treatment.

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Seven research projects have won $15 million in funding over three years from the Cancer Australia Research Initiative (CARI) to investigate young onset cancer, which has been rising significantly in the past few decades.

Early onset cancers, which are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 49, are aggressive, have complex causes and a wide range of sub-types, making detection and treatment challenging.

The funding from Cancer Australia and the National Health and Medical Research Council will go towards research into prevention, early detection, treatment and survivorship in early onset breast, colorectal and pancreatic cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Since 2000, rates of early onset cancers have risen significantly in Australia and globally, particularly bowel (colorectal), thyroid, breast, prostate and kidney cancer.

Early onset cancers are caused by a combination of factors including lifestyle, diet, obesity rates and environmental exposures, according to Cancer Australia.

Australia has the dubious honour of having the highest rate of early onset bowel cancer among 50 countries, and bowel cancer is now the leading cause of cancer related death for Australians aged 25 to 44.

Five of the research projects are led by women.

“We are pleased that the majority of projects will be led by female researchers and to see projects from institutions around Australia,” said Cancer Australia CEO Professor Dorothy Keefe PSM.

“The Australian Cancer Plan emphasises that cancer research investment must be targeted, innovative, and aligned to areas of unmet and emerging need, ensuring the research system remains responsive to changing priorities across the cancer care continuum,” Professor Keefe said.

“We are delighted to partner with NHMRC to bring together national expertise and investment, strengthening Australia’s capacity to respond to emerging health challenges like early onset cancer.”

The projects include:

• Research identifying bowel cancer risk factors in young people and tests to detect cancers earlier and inform prevention strategies, led by Associate Professor Erin Symonds at Flinders University;

• The STRIVE-EOC project that will identify and test effective and affordable interventions for early onset bowel, breast, pancreatic and liver cancers, led by Doctor Jie-Bin Lew of the University of Sydney;

• A Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research project identifying the interactions between genetics and environmental triggers that may explain the rise in early onset pancreatic cancer, led by Associate Professor Tracy Putoczk;

• A University of Melbourne project examining new causes of early onset breast cancer and how multiple factors combine to determine risk, led by Associate Professor Shuai Li.

The Flinders University project has won $2.7 million to detect bowel cancer earlier in people under 50 using personalised risk checks and blood and stool tests.

Lead researcher Professor Symonds said the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program had been effective in reducing the incidence and mortality of bowel cancer, but the program did not include people under 45.

“Consequently, many young people are unaware of the disease until they have symptoms, and then often experience delayed diagnosis, leading to reduced trust in the healthcare system, and poorer outcomes,” Professor Symonds said.

“While it is not currently clear what is causing the increase in young onset bowel cancer, it is essential that we have strategies in place to allow diagnoses as quickly as possible.”

The Flinders researchers will analyse data from Australia’s largest colonoscopy database to identify risk factors and design a testing process to speed up diagnosis.

“By introducing risk‑based screening in general practice, our project aims to change how young people are diagnosed with bowel cancer, helping ensure earlier detection and better outcomes,” Professor Symonds said.

“If successful, it could also deliver a smarter, more targeted way to protect younger Australians from one of the most common cancers.”

NHMRC CEO Professor Steve Wesselingh said the seven research projects would help fill gaps in understanding of early onset cancer, helping to improve outcomes across a range of cancer types including bowel, pancreatic and breast cancer.

“This approach is vital for developing strategies to prevent increasing rates of early onset cancer and for supporting the health of Australians affected by these diagnoses,” Professor Wesselingh said.

“I welcome the opportunity to partner with Cancer Australia on this joint initiative and congratulate all chief investigators and their teams receiving funding under this announcement – your research has the potential to save the lives of many Australians.”

Health Minister Mark Butler said the investment wouldsupport researchers to deliver earlier detection, better treatments for early onset cancer.

“Too many younger Australians are being diagnosed with cancer at a stage of life when they should be planning their futures, not facing a life-threatening illness,” he said.

“We congratulate the recipients of the 2025 Cancer Australia Research Initiative. The strength and depth of applications we received was outstanding, and we’re proud to back more of this world-class research by doubling the investment and expanding the number of projects supported.”