CANSA Research – Bringing Cancer under Control
The focus of the CANSA Research Programme is predominantly related to lowering cancer risk; early detection of cancer; and support & quality of life issues for cancer Survivors. The programme is multi-faceted and includes funding of researchers based at South African research institutions, as well as some research conducted by CANSA.
Our current focus is on growing our investment in high quality public health research. Read more about our research programme…
Research that CANSA has funded, has had positive outcomes in numerous ways:
- it has contributed to informing policy, and changes in policy, to improve the lives of the South African public and cancer patients;
- it has contributed to building the capacity of South African researchers in order to grow the field of cancer research;
- it has assisted researchers to attract international funding for much larger projects that can have a far greater impact for cancer patients;
and it has helped to inform the services and advocacy work that CANSA offers.
Second ‘Cancer Research in Action’ Conference
CANSA is excited to announce that the next Cancer Research in Action Conference will be held at the University of Pretoria, Prinshof Campus from the 3rd to 5th July 2018. All CANSA’s Type A research grantees will be invited to present their research, providing a comprehensive view of CANSA sponsored research at universities. Further details will be available at www.cansa.org.za in due course.
Recent Research Highlights:
1. Head CANSA Research Gives Presentation at AORTIC International Conference
CANSA’s Head of Research, Dr Melissa Wallace, attended AORTIC’s 11th International Conference on Cancer in Africa from 7 to 10 November 2017, at the Kigali Convention Centre in Kigali, Rwanda.
The theme was: Cancer in Africa: Making Strides, Creating Solutions.
Dr Wallace gave a presentation on ‘ Behavioural Science and Cancer Control’, highlighting the importance of behavioural factors in cancer control interventions.
Read more and listen to Dr Wallace discussing her presentation.
2. Prioritising Cancer – UCT Cancer Research Symposium
The Cancer Research Initiative at the Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town hosted a Cancer Research Symposium on 17th February 2018. The Symposium was sponsored by CANSA and the Faculty of Health Sciences, UCT. Read more…
The objectives of the Symposium were to:
- Showcase cancer research in the Faculty of Health Sciences, UCT
- Encourage collaboration
- Identify gaps and areas for future research
- Create networking opportunities
3. Cancer Stigma Study
CANSA launched a qualitative study in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape to examine this in more detail. The stigma associated with cancer has been found to play a significant role in negatively impacting the psycho-social wellbeing of cancer patients, cancer risk reduction behaviour and adherence to treatment. While there is research evidence of this internationally, this has not been examined in any detail in South Africa. The experiences of CANSA’s Service Delivery team indicate that cancer stigma is a significant problem in many of the communities in which they work.
4. Photovoice Project
CANSA contributed funding towards a Photovoice Project led by Dr Lynn Edwards (independent clinical psychologist) and Linda Greeff (oncology social worker from CancerCare). This qualitative study aimed to collect around 300 ‘stories’ from people with cancer, including any photographs, to highlight their experiences. The aim is to use the stories as a tool to highlight advocacy issues within cancer care provision and lobby for change. In total, 316 stories were collected and analysed. A series of three articles were published looking at the grass roots challenges that cancer patients experience within the South African health context. Read more…
5. Evaluation Study of Palliative Care Training for Oncology Registrars
CANSA has committed to co-fund with UCT, a study led by Dr Rene Krause, Prof Jeanette Parkes, Dr Liz Gwyther, Dr David Anderson and Dr Nadia Hartman, to evaluate a palliative care module, to be implemented with oncology registrars at five universities across South Africa. Module 1 was implemented on the 1st August 2017. Read more…
6. CANSA Research Detectives Booklets
Booklet six, titled ‘Women’s Pathways to Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Care’, written by Prof Jennifer Moodley of the University of Cape Town, has been produced and added to CANSA’s series of cancer research booklets. Download booklets 1 to 5.
7. AG Oettlé Memorial Award
CANSA’s highest award, the AG Oettlé Memorial Award (2017) for outstanding contributions to cancer research, training and clinical work, was presented to Professor Greta Dreyer of the University of Pretoria. She has devoted all of her professional life since 1995 to the field of gynaecologic oncology in SA and continues to serve on numerous committees within the cancer platform, and is relentlessly committed to advancing knowledge in this field. She continues to inspire and mentor many young scientists in the fight against cancer and help more women survive cancer. Read more…
Cancer Genetics: How One Patient’s Story can Improve the Lives of Many
Professor Maritha Kotze shares how cancer has affected her personally, and specifically regarding her friend Elna’s diagnosis and cancer journey. Elna’s life and story is the inspiration behind the Open Genome Project, a new initiative to optimise the clinical management of each patient by using an integrated service and research approach. The severe side effects experienced by Elna with use of effective medication, highlighted the need for intensified research with a greater focus on improved quality of life in cancer survivors. Read more…
CANSA Research Funding and Grants
Our Type A funding programme is aimed at MBChB and PhD cancer researchers based at South African universities and research organisations. The purpose of this funding is to support high-quality advance management and improve outcomes for the most common cancers in South Africa.
CANSA does not fund any scientific research aimed at developing new anticancer medicines. We accept applications on the following topics:
- Epidemiology and determinants of the burden of cancer in South African populations
- Health seeking behaviours and early detection and diagnosis of cancer
- Health promotion and risk reduction of cancer, with a particular focus on behavioural risk reduction
- Optimal patient care including rehabilitation and palliative care services
- Other health services and health system research relating to the above categories
- Health economics of cancer, including economic burden of cancer and its risk factors, and cost effectiveness research
- Research relating to cancer biology/biochemistry/molecular biology as these relate to early detection, risk reduction and patient care
Grants of up to R1.2 million over three years are awarded to projects based on scientific merit. As at end 31 March 2017, a total of 11 projects came to an end while 12 are ongoing. Read more about Grant Funding results for 2018…
The following new Type A grants for 2018 were awarded:
- Dr Janette Bester, University of Pretoria. Breast cancer progression associated with hypercoagulation and chronic inflammation
- A/Prof Alan Davidson, University of Cape Town. Responding to South Africa’s childhood cancer challenges: An in depth description of the epidemiology of paediatric cancer in the RCCH/GSH/UCT complex
- Prof Maritha Kotze, University of Stellenbosch. Application of personalised medicine using an integrated service and research approach: Evaluation of vitamin D in breast cancer patients
- Dr Ben Loos, University of Stellenbosch. Overcoming glioma resistance through lethal autophagic flux control – a multidisciplinary approach
- A/Prof Lebogang Ramma, University of Cape Town. Impact of cisplatin-induced hearing loss on health-related quality of life: A prospective cohort study
- Dr Bernard Rapoport, University of Pretoria. Identification of immunological biomarkers predictive of pathological response in triple negative breast cancer patients undergoing neo-adjuvant chemotherapy
- Dr Georgia Schäfer, University of Cape Town. Investigating the functional consequences of novel EPHA2 polymorphisms on KSHV infectivity and KS development among South African HIV/AIDS patients
- A/Prof Hannah Simonds, University of Stellenbosch. The impact of HIV status on staging, treatment and outcomes in locally advanced cervical carcinoma
- Prof Stefan Weiss, WITS. Verification of the therapeutic potential of LRP/LR downregulation and anti-LRP/LR antibody IgG1-iS18 for the prevention of tumour formation and metastasis in BALB/c nude mice
Cancer Research Grant Applications for 2019
Applications will be received until the 31st May 2018 – no late applications will be considered. View details here…
Publication Awards
CANSA rewards researchers who publish their work in accredited journals with an amount of R10 000 per publication and R20 000 for a publication in a journal with the highest impact factor according to the most recent ISI Journal Citation Report. In total R350 000 was paid to the following researchers who completed their projects in 2016:
- Prof Anna-Mart Engelbrecht: R40 000
- Prof Annie Joubert: R 180 000
- Prof Catherine Kaschula: R30 000
- Prof Jennifer Moodley: R10 000
- Dr Theo Nell: R10 000
- Prof Amanda Swart: R70 000
- Prof Willie van Heerden: R10 000
Prof Engelbrecht’s article with the title ‘Mitochondrial catastrophe during doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity: a review of the protective role of melatonin’ which was published in the journal J Pineal Res, had the highest impact factor of any journal in which CANSA-funded researchers completing their grants in March 2016 published their research, and acknowledged CANSA funding.
Meet our New Research Committee Members
CANSA would not be able to run the Type A funding programme without the invaluable expertise of our Research Committee (RESCOM), made up of a group of cancer research experts based at South African institutions. They contribute to funding and other decisions in support of CANSA’s Research department.
Professor Paul Ruff is Professor and Head of the Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand and Faculty of Health Sciences & Chief Specialist & Head: Division of Medical Oncology at the Department of Medicine, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
He has a wealth of experience in oncology and is very familiar with the South African cancer research landscape.
Professor Johnny Mahlangu is a Professor (Personal) of Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand and Head of School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Service.
He has a special interest in haemostasis and thrombosis, clinical trials and other aspects of clinical and diagnostic haematology and pathology.