Growing up surrounded by a family of clinicians, from a young age, Dr Li aspired to make a difference to the lives of others through health and medicine.
“I was drawn to the idea of making a broader impact through research, particularly that which benefits large populations. Cancer research is the perfect fit,” Dr Li reflected.
In 2021, Dr Li began dedicating her research to breast cancer – the most common cancer affecting women in NSW. Her focus has been on the impact of population-level screening in detecting breast cancer.
“Breast screening is one of the areas in cancer where early detection through population-based programs can save lives,” Dr Li said.
“I am particularly motivated to ensure screening works equitably for all women, especially those who are understudied or underserved.”
In 2022, Dr Li received an Early Career Fellowship from the Cancer Institute NSW to support targeted research for women with a family history of breast cancer.
Opportunity to lead a world-class study
Dr Li, working with international collaborators, analysed the world’s largest dataset on breast screening in women with a family history of breast cancer. Her research evaluated how effectively 3D mammography (digital breast tomosynthesis) detects breast cancers, reduces call-backs and identified breast cancers at a more treatable stage.
Using data from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium in the United States of America - one of the most comprehensive breast screening datasets globally - Dr Li and her team analysed more than half a million exams from around 210,000 women with a family of breast cancer. This included a stratified analysis of women aged 50-74, the target age group for BreastScreen Australia.
The study found for women with a family history of cancer, 3D mammography:
- Reduced recall rates, while cancer detection rates remained stable
- Showed most benefit in women who were aged under 40 or between 60-69 years, had one first-degree relative with breast cancer, had scattered fibroglandular breast density (a mix of dense and fatty tissue) and were repeat screeners
- Reduced advanced cancer rates in women with extremely dense breasts
- Found a higher proportion of screen-detected cancers at an earlier stage, and had favourable prognostic features
- Increased the detection rate of invasive cancers for those aged 50–74 years
“Having a large cohort is critical for population health research and cancer screening evaluation, providing robust metrics,” Dr Li said.
“This international collaboration has accelerated knowledge on this issue and may help inform screening policy both nationally and internationally. The findings support the potential value of offering 3D mammography for women with a family history of breast cancer, informing whether and how to implement them in breast screening programs.”
Dr Li has a long-term vision and is committed to advancing breast cancer screening research in Australia and globally. She is now focusing her research on improving breast screening for women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
“My goal is to ensure all women, regardless of background, have access to the best possible cancer screening and outcomes.”
Support from the Cancer Institute NSW
The Early Career Fellowship, worth $421,500, has supported Dr Li to build on her research capacity, collaborations, project management and mentorship expertise.
“It enabled me to develop a lead role in a large international collaboration that would have otherwise been challenging to do at this early stage of my career,” Dr Li said.
“I’m grateful to the Cancer Institute NSW for investing in early career researchers and supporting work that has both local and global relevance. These Fellowships provide funding at a critical time for early career researchers to develop independence.”
“This support has been an incredible opportunity for me to extend my cancer research career, develop collaborative work with both local and global impact.”
Dr Tong Li is a Research Fellow at The Daffodil Centre, a joint venture between Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney. Find out more about Dr Li on The Daffodil Centre website.