Citing underfunding and lack of public awareness, philanthropist Daniel Petre has donated $2 million for research into prostate cancer to the University of Sydney’s Medical School.

 

The funds will be used to appoint a chair of prostate cancer research at the University of Sydney, who will work closely with cancer researchers based at the Garvan Institute for Medical Research. It is the first such chair in Australia.

 

Mr Petre says the male cancer, which remains one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Australia, does not receive the attention nor the support it deserves in the wider community.

 

"Diagnosing prostate cancer is not the issue today. The issue is determining which tumours need to be removed and which can be left untreated. This counter-intuitive approach is due to the significant repercussions that occur for men who have been treated for prostrate cancer,” Mr Petre said.

 

"While treatments are becoming more sophisticated, with lower levels of impotence and incontinence post surgery, the holy grail in terms of prostate cancer research is to first work out which tumours can be left alone and then to find non-invasive treatment options with minimal side effects.”

 

Mr Petre has called for other wealthy Australians to follow his example.

 

"Investment in a university has many benefits. Firstly it is an investment in Australia's academic future, but it is also an investment in the future health of Australians through the discovery of new treatments and prevention strategies.”