What is health research

Health research refers to the many types of scientific investigations that aim to test ideas, answer questions, improve treatment options and increase knowledge about human health.

Learn more about:

• Types of health research
• Why is health research important?
• Why participate in research?
• Who can participate in research?
• Where does research take place?
• Is research safe?
• Who funds cancer research?
• What is a conflict of interest?

Listen to our podcasts on Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis and Making Treatment Decisions

Why is health research important?

What we know about cancer changes over time as more research is done. Health research has led to the medical treatments and health programs available today. These advances have helped the five-year survival rate for all cancers to rise from 52% to 68% over the past 20 years.

The search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat human diseases is ongoing. It requires the active participation of patients, carers and healthy people.

Why participate in research?

The involvement of patients, carers and healthy people in research is necessary to help researchers learn more about a disease and ways to treat it. Most people diagnosed with cancer who decide to participate in research do so because they want to help improve outcomes for others in the future, as well as for themselves.

Adults and children can participate in different ways, including:

• consenting to their medical records being accessed
• completing surveys
• trialling treatments
• agreeing to be examined regularly by health professionals
• allowing samples taken during tests or treatment to be used for research.

Who can participate in research?

All research studies, including clinical trials, have guidelines setting out who can participate. Both adults and children can take part, but children under the age of 18 need a parent’s or guardian’s permission. Most cancer research involves current patients, however, some studies target former patients, carers, family members, people at risk of cancer or people who have not had the disease.

It is important that people of all ages and social, economic and racial backgrounds take part so the results reflect Australia’s diverse population. Deciding to take part can help you weigh up the benefits and risks of being in a study, and answer other questions you may have. Learn more about participating in clinical trials or other types of cancer research.

Where does research take place?

Research is carried out in many places, including hospitals, cancer centres, laboratories and universities. Sometimes you can participate from home – you might have treatment or medicines mailed to you, or you might be asked to fill in a survey or complete a telephone interview.

Is research safe?

Understandably, people want to know if there are any risks to participating in a study. Researchers must follow strict guidelines to make sure studies are as safe as possible for everyone involved. This is called their duty of care.

All studies need to be approved by human research ethics committees before they can begin. As part of this process, researchers identify risks that might occur, such as possible side effects. They must also explain how they’ll monitor these risks and what will be done if problems occur. For more on this, see Regulation of clinical research.

Who funds cancer research?

Funding comes from many sources. These sources include:

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) – This is the Australian Government’s main funding body for medical research. The NHMRC awards grants to researchers based on their ability to investigate important questions about human health. The NHMRC also administers the government’s Medical Research Future Fund.

Cancer charities – State and territory Cancer Councils and other charities receive donations from the public, and grants from both public and private sectors. This funds their own research and allows them to financially support research carried out by other institutions.

Government bodies – Other Australian, state and territory government agencies offer a competitive grants program to fund research and to employ cancer trials staff.

Medical research institutions and clinics – These sometimes use their own resources to support research.

Private sector (industry funded) – Companies producing medicines and medical equipment run trials to check safety and effectiveness before applying for licences to sell these products. Private companies may also fund research in partnership with a university or other research institution, or for goodwill (philanthropic) reasons.

What is a conflict of interest?

A conflict of interest may arise in any research project. This means the interests of an organisation or researcher could influence the outcome of the research. Researchers are required to disclose any possible or actual conflicts of interest. All research projects should include details of how a conflict of interest will be managed.