There is encouraging news for Australians affected by cancer at a young age. The Australian Government, Cancer Australia and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) have announced a $15 million investment through the inaugural Cancer Australia Research Initiative (CARI) to better understand and tackle the alarming rise of cancers in people aged 20–49.

This new funding, part of the first Cancer Australia Research Initiative (CARI), is an important step toward improving how we prevent, detect and treat cancers that are increasingly affecting younger adults.

One area of major focus is bowel cancer. Australia has the highest rate of early-onset bowel (colorectal) cancer among 50 countries, making this research especially urgent.Seven exceptional projects will drive research into prevention, early detection, treatment and survivorship – guided by lived experience and addressing one of the most urgent challenges in cancer care today.

Jodi Lee Bowel Cancer Foundation CEO, Rachel McKay was pleased to hear of this investment. “We’re especially encouraged to see research focused on identifying bowel cancer risk factors and delivering earlier, simpler detection, giving young Australians the best possible chance of survival.”

• Associate Professor Erin Symonds of Flinders University, who will identify risk factors for bowel cancer in young people and offer simple tests for targeted, earlier detection screening to catch cancers early and inform prevention strategies for young Australians.
• Doctor Jie-Bin Lew of the University of Sydney, who will lead the STRIVE-EOC project which will identify and test the most effective, affordable, and fair interventions for early-onset bowel, breast, pancreatic and liver cancers.

Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler MP, said:

“Too many younger Australians are being diagnosed with cancer at a stage of life when they should be planning their futures, not facing a life-threatening illness. This investment backs our best researchers to uncover why this is happening and to deliver earlier detection, better treatments and ultimately save lives.”

“We congratulate the recipients of the 2025 Cancer Australia Research Initiative. The strength and depth of applications we received was outstanding, and we’re proud to back more of this world-class research by doubling the investment and expanding the number of projects supported.”

“The findings from this research will help fill crucial gaps in our understanding of early onset cancer, with the goal of improving outcomes across a range of cancer types including bowel, pancreatic and breast.”

“This approach is vital for developing strategies to prevent increasing rates of early onset cancer and for supporting the health of Australians affected by these diagnoses.”