The Victorian Cancer Agency

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Victoria with 22,498 new cases of cancer being diagnosed in Victoria in 2003 [1]. Population ageing and rising treatment costs and complexity is increasing the burden of cancer. Therefore, there is an urgent need to maximise treatment outcomes by ensuring service delivery is based on the best available evidence about the most effective care.

Research has the potential to deliver improved outcomes for patients with cancer and improved efficiencies for the cancer system. Cancer treatment has changed dramatically over the past decade. Advances in cancer genetics, immunology, biochemistry, bioinformatics and molecular pathology provide an opportunity to reduce the cancer burden by personalised medicine. This would increase the efficiency and effectiveness of cancer service delivery, reduce costs associated with ineffective treatments and improve cancer survival.

A new body to co-ordinate and promote the translation of research into the delivery of clinical care has been established in Victoria. This new body, the Victorian Cancer Agency (VCA), will be responsible for connecting research, education, bio-information and clinical practice to improve cancer treatment and care. The VCA will determine priorities for strategic use of infrastructure including molecular pathology, human cancer genetics, a clinical bioinformatics and biomarker and co-ordination of Victoria's cancer Tissue Bank. With a strong focus on the delivery of research-driven cancer services, the VCA will facilitate the development of collaborative research and health services partnerships across the ten major tumour streams.
The VCA has three broad functions. These are:

• Connecting and supporting clinical, academic and cancer research organisations

• Funding and coordinating cancer research development and innovation

• Building research capacity and capability.
 
This paper will describe this innovative approach that maximises the strengths of research to build a comprehensive cancer system, highlighting the priorities for the VCA in the first two years.