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Exposing cancer risk wins University of Melbourne research commendation at Premier’s Awards for Medical Research

Media Release, Monday 4 June 2007

A University of Melbourne Research Fellow who demonstrated the link between large waist measurements and increased cancer risks has been commended in the 2007 Premier’s Awards for Medical Research.

Dr Robert MacInnis, working with the University’s School of Population Health and the Cancer Council of Victoria, tracked the link between obesity and cancer, showing that larger waist circumferences increased the risk of bowel, breast (after menopause) and aggressive prostate cancer.

As a result of his research and other studies, the Cancer Council has started a public health education campaign warning people of the risks of a large waist measurement.

Dr MacInnis completed his PhD at the University of Melbourne in early 2006 and was awarded a Sidney Sax Overseas Fellowship. He is currently based at the Cancer Research UK Genetic Epidemiology Unit at Cambridge University, where he is conducting research into prostrate cancer.

Dr MacInnis says so far his research has looked at either the environmental or the genetic causes of cancer. In the future he would like to look at the interaction between both environmental and genetic factors in causing cancer.

The Premier’s Awards for Medical Research are presented to committed and gifted early career medical researchers.

The Awards, made in conjunction with the Australian Society for Medical Research, recognise the exceptional achievements of post graduate scholars.