Eminent Australian Professor argues Catching Cancer not a reason to panic

Internationally-respected Australian scientist Professor Ian Frazer told more than 300 government, medical and media representatives why catching cancer was not reason to panic during seminars at the Ho Chi Minh City University Medical Center (5 May) and Hanoi Medical University (6 May). Professor Frazer is the co-creator of the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, the first vaccine to protect against a cancer.

The seminars, titled Catching Cancer, heard lessons on best practices in cancer research, benefits of international medical science collaboration and efforts to improve distribution of the vaccine developed by Professor Frazer. The seminar also included a screening of the Catching Cancer documentary, which features Professor Frazer alongside other eminent scientists active in the frontline fight against cancer.

Professor Frazer is Chief Executive Officer of the new Translational Research Institute (Brisbane) and was appointed Australian of the Year in 2006. The vaccine developed by Professor Frazer and Dr Jian Zhou protects young women against four strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV), two of which cause 70 per cent of cervical cancers. Professor Frazer continues to work on immunoregulation and vaccines for HPV associated cancers and to support efforts for distribution of much-needed HPV vaccines to women in developing countries.

Speaking at the Hanoi seminar, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam H.E. Mr Allaster Cox said, “Professor Frazer, through his development of a vaccine for cervical cancer, has continued in the strong tradition of many other Australian scientists and medical researchers in pioneering medical innovations and discoveries.”

“This is clear testimony to Australia's excellence as a centre for advanced medical and scientific research." Ambassador Cox continued, "I hope that this visit will encourage medical and scientific researchers in Vietnam to look seriously at Australia as a place for advanced studies and research."

Professor Nguyen Duc Hinh, President of the Hanoi Medical University said: “Professor Frazer’s visit reinforces the excellent relations between institutions for medical exellence in Australia and Vietnam. At Hanoi Medical University, we are particularly proud of student exchanges and other activities with Hoc Mai Foundation (University of Sydney) which are helping to improve medical education in Vietnam.”

Australia has a proud history of pioneering medical inventions since Australian Sir Howard Florey developed techniques in the 1940s for manufacturing and processing penicillin, the world’s first antibiotic. Other notable medical advances pioneered by Australians include the bionic ear (Graeme Clark), artificial pacemaker (Mark Lidwell), ultrasound (George Kossoff, David Robinson), and spray-on skin for burns victims (Marie Stoner, Fiona Wood). Six Australians have received Nobel prizes in Physiology or Medicine.

For more information, please contact:

- In Ho Chi Minh City: Ms Hang, Public Diplomacy Officer, Australian Consulate-General at Tel: 08 3521 8134, Email: [email protected]

- In Hanoi: Ms Dinh Thi Viet Anh, Public Affairs and Media Liaison Manager,
Tel: 04 3774 0232, Mob: 0903 423 440, Email: [email protected]