3 May 2011
Australian Government brings leading expert in cancer
research to Vientiane
The Australian Government, with support from the Ministry of Health and Setthatirath Hospital, sponsored the visit to the Lao PDR on Tuesday 3 May by one of the world’s leading experts in cancer research and prevention, Australia’s Professor Ian Frazer.
The visit focused on a screening at Setthatirath Hospital of ‘Catching Cancer’, a documentary film featuring world experts, including Professor Frazer. The documentary discussed cancer as a major health threat and reminded us that one in three people will be affected by cancer at some stage in their life.
Opened by HE Dr Ponemek Dalaloy, Minister of Health, and the Australian Ambassador, HE Ms Lynda Worthaisong, the documentary focused on cancers we now know to be related to infections, such as certain viruses like the Human Papiloma Virus (HPV), and discussed the probability that up to 50% of cancers were in fact triggered by an infective process. By understanding the infective triggers, and by conducting further research, scientists and clinicians are uncovering the fundamental causes of cancer and are able to create vaccines and treatments to prevent, screen and treat this insidious disease.
Working with colleagues around the world, Professor Frazer’s work in Australia with some of the best cancer research units in the world, has developed a vaccine to prevent HPV infection. Over time this will hopefully stop the spread of cervical cancer, which affects half a million women worldwide every year.
Australia is very proud of Professor Frazer, whose career has been focused on understanding the interaction between papillomavirus and the cancers they affect. Among the many awards he has received, Professor Frazer was named Australian of the Year by the Prime Minister of Australia in 2006. He has won multiple other awards and continues to work on developing other vaccines.
The Minister of Health mentioned what an excellent opportunity the visit provided for doctors and medical students in Laos, and that the information gained would assist health care professionals on strategies to achieve better heath care for Lao people and particularly Lao women with regard to reproductive health.