Dr Andy Redfern - University of WA
Dr Andy Redfern works on a Mother's Day Classic funded project for the National Breast Cancer Foundation at the University of Western Australia. He is a Medical Oncologist and Laboratory Medical Researcher and is investigating new proteins involved in anti-estrogen and chemotherapy treatment resistance in breast cancer. His clinical oncology practice, at the Royal Perth Hospital, specialises in the treatment of hormone dependent cancers, particularly breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Q: What are the highlights of the breast cancer project you are working on?
We have been successful in identifying some features of an individuals breast cancer cells that strongly indicate whether hormone and chemotherapy treatments are worthwhile to that person. This should allow us to avoid unnecessary treatment where benefits are unlikely but encourage us to offer it where benefits are substantial.
In the future this has the potential also to allow us to manipulate cancers so that such treatments will be effective in all patients.
Q. What do you love about your work/ what inspires you?
The combination of being involved with the discovery of new things in the laboratory in combination with working directly with the people who stand to benefit in the clinic.
Q: What does funding mean to you/your project?
Without funding, little research would go ahead. For me the funding by Women in Super through the NBCF in particular allows me to work for a portion of the week in the laboratory, for the rest with breast cancer patients in the clinic. No other funding source allows this particular combination work although many bodies agree it is the way forward.
Q: What do you think is important to people who have breast cancer?
To have confidence in the team treating them, to feel as secure as possible against the risk of cancer return, to know that any risks to family members (particularly children) are being attended to and to be strongly and regularly supported and informed where disease is advanced.
Q: What is key to prevention of breast cancer in the future?
The accurate identification of patients at significant risk, the application of effective preventions to this group and the identification of modifiable risk factors akin to high cholesterol and high blood pressure for heart disease where we can judge the success or failure of a strategy without waiting to see if cancer occurs or not.
You can read Classic Investments for more information on breast cancer research funded by Women in Super.
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