McMaster University receives millions in federal funding for cancer research

The federal government is giving McMaster University millions of dollars for medical isotope research. They are used by medical professionals to treat certain types of cancers.

Members of McMaster University and the federal government gathered today to highlight federal funding to expand the McMaster nuclear research reactor.

This is where they produce isotopes. Medical isotopes are used to diagnose and treat over a million Canadians a year.

President of McMaster University David Farrar also specializes in chemistry, and he is particularly excited about this funding that will be used to hire approximately 600 more people for research.

“When the isotope decays it emits high energy radiation very specifically designed at the tumour, so it’s a way to give radiation therapy but does not have all the other damage around the tumour,” said Farrar.

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Member of Parliament for Hamilton Mountain Lisa Hepfner says the government is spending this money to help save lives.

“The federal government under the science and innovation fund announced millions of dollars would towards medical isotope funding which is so important because we know that science is finding all kinds of ways to literally cure different kinds of cancer using these isotopes,” said Hepfner.

McMaster University is home to Canada’s largest nuclear research reactor and a world-leading supplier of medical isotopes.

They are also the world’s leading supplier of the iodine-125 isotope.

“About 70,000 doses a year fly out of Hamilton airport. They are used to treat prostate cancer, so they are put in very small beads and imbedded in prostate cancerous cells and then they kill those cells,” said Farrar.

“So 70,000 people a year benefit from isotope treatment that comes from our lab.”

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