Gynaecological and Breast Cancer Biobank

Gynaecological malignancies represent one of the most common causes of female cancer death worldwide. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in Australian females. One in eight women and one in eight hundred men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. The five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer approaches 90 per cent, however, the prognosis worsens rapidly upon cancer progression to locally advanced and metastatic disease.

Mater’s Gynaecological and Breast Cancer Biobank was formed to obtain, for ongoing research, samples of resected tumour, draining lymph nodes (when available), ascites, pleural fluid, peritoneal washings, blood and saliva from patients with, or suspected of having, a gynaecological or breast cancer. Biobank specimens are paired with a clinical database storing patient pathology, clinical history and treatment information. Mater’s Gynaecological and Breast Cancer Biobank provides long term storage of samples and is able to supply live tissue immediately for use by researchers in functional studies, including therapeutics. These valuable samples are available for use in ethically approved research projects.

Contact us

Donors or researchers interested in more information about the Gynaecological and Breast Cancer Biobank can contact:

Prof John Hooper
Dr Rohan Lourie

Mr Kaltin Ferguson