Home Beyond a diagnosis: How research is changing what it means to live with cancer

Beyond a diagnosis: How research is changing what it means to live with cancer

Icon Cancer Foundation / 07 Sep, 2026

When Kaye was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer while travelling in Europe in 2017, she was suddenly confronted with a future she had never imagined.

Nearly nine years later, Kaye’s experience reflects a growing reality in cancer care.

Thanks to advances in research, many cancers that were once considered terminal are increasingly being managed as long-term conditions. While a cure is not always possible, new treatments and clinical trials are helping people live longer and live well.

“My oncologists have explained that for people like me, cancer is increasingly being treated as a chronic disease,” said Kaye.

“That was actually comforting to hear because it meant there was a plan, and there was hope.”

Kaye, a patient at Icon Cancer Centre shares her experience nine years on from her initial diagnosis.

A new era of living with cancer

Thanks to advances in research, screening, earlier diagnosis and treatment, more people are surviving cancer than ever before, with five-year survival rates increasing from around 50% in the late 1980s to more than 71% today.

At the same time, cancer diagnoses continue to rise, with an estimated 169,759 Australians expected to be diagnosed in 2025.

As more people are diagnosed and more people live longer with cancer, research has never been more important. Continued investment in research is helping to create new treatment options, extend survival, and support more Australians to live well with cancer.

Source: Cancer Australia

For Kaye, hope has often come in the form of clinical trials.

After her cancer recurred and treatment options became more limited, she was referred to Icon Cancer Centre medical oncologist Associate Professor Prof Jim Coward, to discuss potential trial opportunities. Rather than feeling apprehensive, Kaye remembers feeling excited.

“A close friend of mine had been looking for a clinical trial before she passed away from breast cancer, so I already knew how valuable those opportunities could be,” Kaye said.

“When I was told there were multiple trials available, I felt like all my Christmases had come at once.”

That excitement stemmed from something many patients understand deeply: clinical trials represent possibility.

“Without research, there is no advancement … Clinical trials are a huge part of hope for the future.”
– Kaye, patient at Icon Cancer Centre and clinical trial participant

“A clinical trial could be the thing that stops the cancer recurring,” Kaye said. “It could be what stabilises my cancer. It’s the hope that this could be the answer.”

Research has transformed cancer care in ways that patients like Kaye see firsthand. Treatments that were unavailable a generation ago are now helping people live longer and maintain their quality of life, while ongoing research continues to uncover new opportunities for patients whose cancer returns or becomes resistant to treatment.

“Without research, there is no advancement,” said Kaye.

“Seeing the changes that have come about even recently, once upon a time those options weren’t there.”

For Kaye, participating in research is about more than her own treatment. It’s about helping build knowledge that may benefit future patients.

“If what we learn through a clinical trial that I’m part of helps save someone’s life one day, that’s priceless,” said Kaye.

“It doesn’t have to be someone I know. If I’m part of a bigger system that’s helping people – that’s an amazing thing.”

Despite some of the challenges of ongoing treatment, Kaye is determined not to let cancer define her life. She and her husband continue to prioritise travel, family and meaningful experiences. Instead of waiting for a special occasion, they use their good dinnerware every day. They book the trips they’ve always dreamed of taking, spend time with family, and focus on the experiences that matter most.

“I’ve learned to make the most of what I do have,” said Kaye.

“If what we learn through a clinical trial that I’m part of helps save someone’s life one day, that’s priceless.”
– Kaye

Nearly a decade after her diagnosis, Kaye continues to look forward. What keeps her going is knowing that cancer research continues to evolve, bringing new treatments, new clinical trials and new possibilities for patients like her.

“The number of clinical trials available, the enthusiasm of the researchers, the new treatments that keep emerging, that’s where hope comes from,” she says.

“Clinical trials are a huge part of hope for the future.”

Disclaimer: The statements and opinions presented in these articles are those of the individuals featured and may not represent the experiences of others. They do not constitute endorsements or necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Icon Cancer Foundation (ICF), Icon Cancer Centres, or their affiliates. This information is general and does not replace medical advice. ICF is not responsible for any loss or damage resulting from the use of this information and does not guarantee its completeness, accuracy, or reliability.

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