Dr Sam Oakes - Melbourne

Dr Samantha Oakes - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Melbourne

Dr Samantha Oakes completed her PhD in breast cancer research at the Gavan Institute in Sydney and is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne. She hopes to understand if breast cancer cells are sensitive to new drugs and what type of breast cancer is the best target for this new therapy.

Q:  What are the highlights of the breast cancer project you are working on?

My project involves investigating the effectiveness of new-targeted therapies for the treatment of breast cancer. Targeted therapy put simply, means aiming the treatment at cancer cells but not healthy cells, thereby treating the disease without the hideous side effects that we see with standard chemotherapies. The highlight of my work is that some day my research will potentially result in improved survival and better quality of life for patients suffering breast cancer.

Q. What do you love about your work/ what inspires you?

I absolutely love the constant challenge that comes with discovering something new about the human body and disease. ‘Mother Nature’ does not give up her secrets easily! Sometimes this can be really frustrating but usually it makes every day interesting. I love the ever-changing world of medical research.

Q:   What does funding mean to you/your project?

Without funding, I would not have a job and I simply could not do what I do. Personnel, experiments and basic laboratory equipment cost lots of money. To really be competitive in the world of medical research you must have the very best and latest tools at your fingertips. We are trying to find answers to the big questions about breast cancer and although some funding is available from the Australian Government, this only goes so far. We rely heavily on the generous philanthropic donations of the public to make our every day possible.

Q:  What do you think is important to people who have breast cancer?

I believe that longevity and quality of life are the two most important things to any human being, with or without cancer. For those diagnosed with breast cancer I believe that one of the most important things for them, is to know that their disease can be treated effectively, and that their quality of life does not have to suffer.

Q:  What is key to prevention of breast cancer in the future?

First and foremost, I truly believe that a healthy lifestyle, which is eating fresh food and exercising regularly, is important for preventing many diseases including breast cancer. However the reality is that even healthy people can develop breast cancer, which is not just one disease but a complex set of diseases. We need to continue to understand the triggers and processes involved in breast cancer, in order to develop new and improved therapies. We therefore need continual investment in medical research and personal participation through initiatives such as the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s Register4.