Chidozie Anyaegbu.
Camera IconChidozie Anyaegbu. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Harrisdale bowel cancer researcher gets grant to find better treatment

Jessica NicoComment News

A grant of more than $34,000 will help a Harrisdale resident in his quest to find better ways to treat bowel cancer patients.

Dr Chidozie Anyaegbu’s funding of $34,688 will be used to identify bowel cancer patients who are at a high risk of the cancer returning after chemotherapy and find better ways to treat them.

He is one of almost 100 researchers and projects to share in $3.7 million of Cancer Council WA funding.

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Dr Anyaegbu said the research aimed to catch cancer-killing cells in the act of fighting cancer.

“My ultimate aim is to determine whether the type of immune cells within bowel cancers can help doctors identify patients whose disease is likely to return after chemotherapy, but might benefit from drugs that boost the immune system’s ability to fight cancer,” he said.

He said he was determined to help others with cancer after watching his brother fight it.

“While completing my undergraduate degree I was the primary carer for my younger brother who had brain cancer,” he said.

“Sadly, he passed away at just 19 years old.

“This unfortunate experience gave me a firsthand understanding of the need for more effective treatments and inspired me to contribute to the knowledge needed to combat this awful disease by pursuing a career in cancer research.”

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