Last Tuesday, Monash University researchers, who have been funded from proceeds of the Cancer Council Victoria's Daffodil Day annual fund-raiser, published findings that gave a new insight into how tumours grow.

The team, from the university's biochemistry and molecular biology department, discovered that enzymes known as protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) had a greater role than previously thought in the mutation of tumours into more aggressive cancers.

The leader of the research team, Associate Professor Tony Tiganis, said the research might lead to new treatment options for patients.

He said drugs that inhibited PTKs might be used earlier to suppress tumours, rather than during the late stages of treatment.

He said the team found the lack of another enzyme called TCPTP might have a role in tumour mutation, and it would perform further tests on human cancer samples.

"The more we can learn about how tumours develop, the more we are able to prevent their growth in future."

The research program began five years ago with funding from the Cancer Council Victoria.

Daffodil Days have raised about $20 million for research, education and support services since they began 15 years ago. The council's director of fund raising, Deb Stringer, said research had contributed to a 13per cent higher survival rate for cancer patients in the past 15 years. "Events such as Daffodil Day are instrumental in raising the funds needed to support our life-saving research.

"Ongoing investment in research is paramount if we are to continue making discoveries.

"Our increase in cancer knowledge is a direct result of research."

Last year, the CCV funded two research programs at Monash University into breast and bowel cancer ($70,000) and stomach cancer ($98,900).

Daffodil Day details: 1300 656 585 or www.daffodilday.com.au