Tracker Biobank, 145 Studley Road, Melbourne (2026)

19/02/2026

Stigma Can Prove Deadly 💔

Lung cancer is the world’s leading cause of cancer death. Yet, unlike most other cancers, patients are often met first with the question, “Did you smoke?” instead of support.

A powerful piece in The New York Times highlights this reality.

Patient advocate Jim Pantelas recalled how shame almost stopped him from seeking treatment altogether.
Survivor Jill Feldman said it plainly: “Stigma is killing people before the cancer actually has a chance to.”
Thoracic oncologist Dr. Narjust Florez described patients hiding their diagnosis entirely because lung cancer carries so much judgment.

The impact is heartbreaking:
• People delay seeing their GP
• Screening participation suffers
• Some avoid or decline treatment
• Many feel they “did this to themselves”

👉 Shame should never be part of diagnosis or treatment.
👉 Lung cancer is a disease, not a verdict on character.

If we want better survival outcomes in Australia, we must replace judgment with empathy and silence with conversation.

💬 Speak up. Share this story. Challenge stigma. Together, we can save lives.

🗞 Read more: https://tinyurl.com/5dr4arfj
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16/02/2026

🫶TRACKER stands with everyone affected by cancer: patients, survivors, caregivers, friends and families.

Behind every diagnosis is a unique human story. 💕

People-centred research means recognising those experiences, listening with empathy, and responding with compassion. 🤝

Together, we can help build cancer care that truly puts people first.

We’d love to hear from you; what does it mean to you for research to include and honour these unique human stories? Share your thoughts below! 💭
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World Cancer Day

05/02/2026

🎉 In just seven months, Australia’s National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) is already making a meaningful impact.

Since launching on 1 July 2025:
• More than 60,000 people have enrolled
• Over 56,500 scans have been completed
• 700+ people have been referred immediately for further assessment

👉Early detection saves lives. Programs like the NLCSP show the difference timely screening can make in improving outcomes for people at risk of lung cancer.

📊Ongoing data, evaluation, and insights from lived experiences will be crucial to understanding how the program is working, who it is reaching, and where it can be strengthened to ensure equitable access across Australia.

TRACKER congratulates the clinicians, researchers, agencies, policymakers, and implementation teams who have brought the NLCSP to life. Sustaining this momentum is vital to reducing lung cancer deaths nationwide. 🙌

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Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing NACCHO Aboriginal Health Australia Lung Foundation Australia TSANZ - Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists

21/01/2026

🎉 First Screening-Detected Case Collected 🎉

Today we reached a landmark moment for TRACKER, collecting our first lung cancer samples from a patient identified through Australia’s new national lung cancer screening program (launched July 2025).

This is a particularly important moment because it marks the beginning of TRACKER being able to facilitate research focused on cancer detected through screening. This is critical for understanding how lung cancer develops and how we can improve early diagnosis and treatment.🔬

A heartfelt thank you to the patient for their generosity in taking part, your contribution is helping build the foundation for future breakthroughs. 🙏

Special thanks also to the team who assisted with collection and processing:
- Dr Senthuran Shivakumar (Respiratory & Sleep Physician)
- Dr Celia Lanteri (Respiratory & Sleep Physician)
- Dr Natalia Vukelic (Project Manager)
- Nhi Huynh (Research Assistant)

This milestone showcases how screening is not only saving lives today, but also powering the research that will save lives tomorrow. 💛
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Austin Health Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Cancer Australia

06/01/2026

Grant Success for Lung Cancer! 🎉

We’re proud to share that TRACKER Co-Lead A/Prof Sagun Parakh has been awarded a 2026 grant from the Austin Medical Research Foundation (AMRF) for the project “Personalising Treatment for Early-Stage Lung Cancer.” 🔬

AMRF supports medical research across the Austin Precinct, and we’re very grateful to Austin Health for their ongoing support of TRACKER. From bronchoscopy suite staff, oncologists, and anaesthetists, to day oncology nurses - their combined efforts make this research possible.

This project will help deliver more precise, patient-centred care, and we can’t wait to see its impact in the clinic. 💫

Congratulations to Sagun and the team on this important achievement! 👏

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31/12/2025

✨ Stepping into 2026 with purpose, pride, and possibility ✨

As we turn the page on 2025, we’re incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made and the momentum we’ve built together. Every connection formed, every sample contributed, and every insight gained brings us closer to creating meaningful impact for people affected by lung cancer. 🙌

Looking ahead, 2026 holds great promise. We’re excited for new research discoveries, hopeful grant successes, and continued collaboration that strengthens both our work and our community. Above all, we remain committed to making a meaningful difference in the challenges lung cancer patients face — while also addressing inequities in participation in biobanking and research among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We wish everyone a year filled with health, happiness, joy, and connection, and we’re deeply grateful to have you alongside us on this journey. We can’t wait to see (and celebrate!) the impact we’ll create together. 🎉

Here’s to a year of purpose, progress, and positive change 💕

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24/12/2025

🎄 Merry TRACKER Christmas 🎄

As 2025 draws to a close, we’re reflecting on a year defined by momentum, collaboration, and belief in what’s possible. Together, we more than doubled patient recruitment, expanded TRACKER into five states, and welcomed seven hospitals and nine research institutes into our growing national network. What started as an idea continues to evolve into something truly powerful. 🙌

This year brought moments worth celebrating:
✨ Dr Sarah Yeo and Dr Senthuran Shivakumar published their first manuscripts as TRACKER PhD students
✨ Grant success for Dr Sagun Parakh, Co-Lead of TRACKER
✨ Dr Tracy Leong, Co-Lead of TRACKER, recognised with the Lung Foundation Australia Women of Influence Award
✨ And our Consumer Chair, Lisa Briggs, honoured with two national awards for her outstanding leadership in lived experience

Beyond the milestones, TRACKER’s mission and vision was shared across local and international conferences, opening doors to new partnerships, new conversations, and a shared commitment to research that truly matters.

This Christmas, we come together as a team - to celebrate, reflect, and look ahead. Our community continues to grow across disciplines and across states, united by one purpose: to improve both the length and quality of life for people living with lung cancer.

We also know this season can be a difficult one. To those facing diagnosis or treatment, or remembering someone dearly missed - our thoughts are with you. You are at the heart of why TRACKER exists ❤️

Thank you to everyone who has supported, believed in, and contributed to TRACKER this year. The foundations are strong, the momentum is real, and we’re excited for what’s ahead!

Here’s to continuing this journey, together.🤝

🔗 Learn more: www.trackerbiobank.com

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24/12/2025

🎄✨ A very special Christmas Eve milestone: 200 patients. One extraordinary achievement.

As we celebrate the festive season, TRACKER is proud to mark 200 patients recruited nationwide across NSW, VIC, SA, QLD and WA. Together, you’re helping build a national resource accelerating research into the world’s deadliest cancer: lung cancer.

This milestone reflects the outstanding collaboration and commitment of our hospital partners:
🏥 Austin Health (VIC)
🏥 The Royal Melbourne Hospital (VIC)
🏥 Macquarie University Hospital (NSW)
🏥 St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney (NSW)
🏥 Royal Adelaide Hospital (SA)
🏥 Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital (QLD)
🏥 Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (WA)

Most importantly, we extend our sincere gratitude to the 200 patients who have generously contributed their samples and data. Your courage and willingness to participate are at the heart of TRACKER and will help shape the future of lung cancer care. 🙏💫

We look forward to building on this momentum together. 🚀

—

Metro North Health North Metropolitan Health Service

22/12/2025

🗣️ Dr Senthuran Shivakumar presents in Adelaide!

We’re excited to share that Dr Shivakumar, PhD student with the TRACKER Biobank, presented at the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT) & Hypertension Australia Joint Scientific Meeting, held 9–12 December 2025 at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Dr Shivakumar shared his research on biomarkers - early warning signs in lung cancer - and how they could help improve patient care. His talk sparked engaging discussions, highlighted the TRACKER Biobank, and helped him make valuable connections with researchers across the region. 🤝

A huge thank you to ASCEPT, Hypertension Australia, and the organisers for hosting such a fantastic, well-run meeting.

Congratulations, Dr Shivakumar, on a rewarding and impactful experience! 💫

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14/12/2025

🌞 Welcome, Queensland! 🌞

We’re proud to welcome The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) and The University of Queensland (UQ) to TRACKER — bringing world-class clinical and research expertise from the heart of Queensland’s healthcare community.

Marking their official entry into Australia’s national lung cancer biobank, the team collected their first patient samples for TRACKER on November 20 🫁

Renowned for excellence in multidisciplinary collaboration and translational research, RBWH and UQ unite clinical expertise with discovery science - accelerating progress toward more effective, tolerable, and accessible lung cancer care for patients across Australia. 💙

The RBWH Team
👨‍⚕️ A/Prof David Fielding – Respiratory Physician & Site PI
👨‍⚕️ A/Prof Brett Hughes – Medical Oncologist
👩‍⚕️ Dr Zarnie Lwin – Medical Oncologist
📋 Kimberley Ryan – Site Coordinator
📋 Haibing Wu – Site Coordinator

The UQ Centre for Clinical Research Team
🔬 Prof Simpson – Laboratory Head & Site PI
🧬 Kate Fitzgerald – Research Assistant
🧬 Dr Andrew Dalley – Postdoctoral Research Scientist
🧬 Dr Kate Beecher Matthews – Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Get ready for recruitment numbers to ramp up! Queensland’s inclusion in TRACKER strengthens Australia’s collective capacity to drive discoveries that will transform lung cancer care and outcomes.

Metro North Health The University of Queensland

Learn more: https://www.trackerbiobank.com/post/queensland-joins-tracker-expanding-australia-s-lung-cancer-research-capacity

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10/12/2025

🎉 Western Australia Joins TRACKER! 🎉

The Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH) and the Institute for Respiratory Health (IRH), together with Murdoch University and The University of Western Australia (UWA), have officially joined the national TRACKER network, uniting clinicians and researchers to better understand and treat lung cancer.

Today, the WA team reached a major milestone, collecting their first lung cancer patient sample for the biobank 🫁

This achievement coincides with the recent introduction of robotic bronchoscopy at SCGH - making it one of only a few hospitals in Australia with this advanced technology.

The robot allows clinicians to access small, hard-to-reach areas of the lung, improving tissue yield and enabling TRACKER to collect samples from earlier-stage cancers, strengthening research and patient outcomes nationwide.

The WA Team
👨‍⚕️ Dr Dhaval Thakkar – Respiratory Physician & Site PI, SCGH
👨‍⚕️ Dr Xinxin Hu – Respiratory Physician & Associate Investigator
📋 Nicola Clarkson– Site Coordinator, SCGH
📋 Katie Straker – Site Coordinator, SCGH
👩‍🔬 A/Prof Cecilia Prele – Laboratory Head & Site PI, IRH and Murdoch University
🧬 Jorjina Plester – Research Assistant, IRH

Together, we are advancing earlier detection, more effective treatments, and better outcomes for Australians living with lung cancer. 💙

Institute for Respiratory Health North Metropolitan Health Service The University of Western Australia Murdoch University

Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gstBq_GZ

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27/11/2025

🎉 Huge congratulations to Dr Senthuran Shivakumar for being awarded Best Presentation at the TSANZ - Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand VIC Branch ASM last week! 🎉

Dr Shivakumar presented groundbreaking early TRACKER findings, shining a spotlight on the role of the lung microbiome in checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis - a serious side effect that can affect patients undergoing immunotherapy for lung cancer. His work is helping to unravel why some patients develop this condition and how we can improve early detection and treatment in the future.

This recognition is a testament to the incredible research happening at TRACKER and the dedication of our scientists to improving the lives of people living with lung cancer. We are so proud to see Dr Shivakumar’s work being celebrated and shared with the wider medical community! 🌟

👏 Keep inspiring us, Dr Shivakumar - your research is making a real difference! 💙

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Tracker Biobank

19/02/2026

16/02/2026

05/02/2026

21/01/2026

06/01/2026

31/12/2025

24/12/2025

24/12/2025

22/12/2025

14/12/2025

10/12/2025

27/11/2025

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