Precision prevention of bowel cancer

Dr Peter Georgeson from the Colorectal Oncogenomics Group in the Department of Clinical Pathology has been awarded a 2024 NHMRC Investigator Grant for research assessing the clinical application of tumour mutational signatures for precision prevention of bowel cancer.

Bowel cancer is a major health burden and the second deadliest cancer, taking the lives of over 5,000 Australians every year.

Alarmingly, rates of bowel cancer in younger Australians are rising, having doubled in the last 20 years to become the most common cause of cancer-related death for people aged 20-39. The reason for this increase is unknown, but changes in our gut microbiome are considered a potential culprit.

Dr. Peter Georgeson believes the genome holds the answers.

“With recent advances in genome sequencing technology, this is the perfect area to utilise my technical skills,” he says.

“By applying advanced computational approaches to investigate tumour profiles, my research will identify novel aetiologies for tumourigenesis, including how gut bacteria causes tumour development.”

Bowel cancer is preventable with appropriate screening, so identifying young people at risk of developing bowel cancer can reduce the burden of this disease.

“Using this approach, we will identify new risk factors and target people in the population who are at high risk of developing bowel cancer at a young age,” says Peter.

“This will enable us to employ preventative measures before cancer develops.”

“The possibility of preventing this disease through my research is highly motivating. I am extremely grateful for the support that allows me to pursue this critical work.”