Why stopping cancer spread matters
When cancer spreads, it becomes far more deadly. This stage, called metastasis, is the reason most lives are lost to cancer. Every day in Australia, more than 50 people are told their cancer has spread, and for most of them that news changes everything.
Metastatic cancer causes the vast majority of cancer deaths, yet patients with advanced cancer still face limited treatment options. In most cases, treatments focus on slowing growth and relieving symptoms rather than outright cures. We urgently need new approaches.
Understanding metastatic cancer
Sources: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, World Health Organisation, Oncology News Australia, Cleveland Clinic, Mani, K., Deng, D., Lin, C. et al. Causes of death among people living with metastatic cancer. Nat Commun 15, 1519 (2024).
Meet Dr Robert Ju, the researcher who's finding
cancer's weak spot
"What drives me is the hope that no family will ever have to face the devastation of cancer spreading beyond control."
Dr Robert Ju is a cancer researcher funded by Cure Cancer. Based at The University of Queensland, he’s working on a novel way to stop metastatic cancer by targeting a weakness in how cancer cells spread. His research has offers hope to people diagnosed with advanced cancers who currently have very few options. It could broaden who benefits from immunotherapy and move care towards kinder, more precise options.
Your Christmas gift will fuel groundbreaking research by scientists like Dr Robert Ju.
How your donation helps
When you give to Cure Cancer this Christmas, you’re not just funding a single experiment. You are supporting a community of emerging researchers across Australia, backing groundbreaking ideas early so progress can happen sooner.
What if the next breakthrough starts with you?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is immunotherapy?
What is metastatic cancer?
What stage of cancer is metastatic?
Metastatic cancer or advanced cancer is equivalent to Stage 4 cancer. That means it has already spread from its original location to a distant part of the body.
Who is Dr Robert Ju?
Dr Robert Ju is a cancer researcher funded by Cure Cancer. Based at the University of Queensland, he’s working on a novel way to stop metastatic cancer by targeting a weakness in how cancer cells spread. He is one example of the talented scientists whose work you support through this Christmas appeal. You can read more about his work in our Projects & Impact page.
Does Cure Cancer fund other research in immunotherapy?
Yes. Across many cancer types, Cure Cancer backs emerging researchers exploring smarter ways to use the immune system against cancer, from improving who responds, to inventing next-gen cell therapies. Find out more in our blog Meet Cure Cancer's 2025 researchers.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Cure Cancer is a registered Australian charity (ABN 13 002 838 495), and donations over $2 are tax-deductible.
