06 June 2025
Researcher and World Cancer Leader Professor Jeff Dunn AO has been honoured with a Queensland Greats Award recognising his transformational impact on cancer control and patient-centred care in Queensland and abroad over a distinguished 40-year career.
The award was presented by Queensland Premier David Crisafulli on Thursday evening.
“Professor Jeffrey Charles Dunn AO has profoundly transformed the landscape of cancer care through more than 40 years of research, advocacy, and leadership,” Mr Crisafulli said.
Professor Dunn is Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia Chief of Mission and Head of Research, the immediate Past-President of the Union for International Cancer Control, and the Chair of Cancer Survivorship at the University of Southern Queensland.
He also serves as Chief Investigator on several national research projects on cancer survivorship.
PCFA National Chairman Adjunct Associate Professor Steve Callister AM commended the Professor for his distinguished contribution to community-based cancer control.
“Over the course of his 40-year career, Professor Dunn has pioneered patient-centred care, working across disciplines to build community capacity in cancer control, influencing local, national and global health policies and programs.
“His research has been published in more than 200 publications including peer reviewed manuscripts, books, chapters, and government reports, and he has been recognised as one of the world’s top three global high-impact researchers in prostate cancer survivorship and quality of life, in addition to being ranked by Stanford University as among the top two per cent of scientists worldwide for oncology and clinical medicine.
“Most recently, he has held rank as the Chair of an expert Steering Committee overseeing a review of Australia’s 2016 Clinical Practice Guidelines for PSA Testing, spearheading the release of new guidelines for the early detection of prostate cancer that will profoundly improve outcomes for Australian men and families impacted by the disease.
“To be named a Queensland Great is prestigious and well-deserved recognition of a lifetime of work dedicated to the Queensland and Australian community, improving the lives of those impacted by cancer.”
Professor Dunn said he was humbled by the honour.
“To be recognised as a Queensland Great is an unexpected and profound honour.
“I share this award with my family and our community, who have inspired me to approach each day with abundant energy for what we might achieve.
“While my life’s path has been in cancer control, my motivating passion has always been to contribute where I can to eliminating pain and suffering, harnessing a restless sense of hope that our individual efforts can make a difference for the collective.
“It has been gratifying to positively influence cancer policies and practice both locally and globally over the course of 40 years, and to witness the difference that these things make in improving survival outcomes and quality of life for those affected, including myself.
“Without a doubt, the greatest achievement of my career has been the unflinching promotion of patient-centred care, so that no patient walks alone with cancer.
“My great hope is to continue in the tradition of everything that is great about Queensland and Australia, working as part of one world community towards the defeat of cancer in all its forms, standing shoulder to shoulder with those affected to ease their pain.”
In 2014, Professor Dunn was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia for distinguished service to medical administration through leadership of cancer control organisations and promotion of innovative and integrated cancer care programs.
In August 2022 he was diagnosed with a rare form of high-risk cancer and underwent a stem cell transplant. Today he is in remission, continuing his research with oversight of a major translational program in cancer survivorship.
