Co-head cancer genomics and genetics and Peter Mac's women's cancer program David Bowtell said funds from the Border group were used to pay for the DNA sequencing of cancer samples, which allowed researchers to find and examine specific molecular events within cells. 

He said the group's funds allowed them to sequence DNA from an additional 15 to 20 patients.

"They've been really heavy hitters," he said of the group.

"For a small community group they've been wonderfully supportive and been really valuable to our work."

Dr Bowtell said the study examined how ovarian cancer evolved to become resistant to treatment.

He said it was the largest study in the world trying to pull apart the different mechanisms behind resistance. 

Dr Bowtell said people who had been treated for cancer successfully, only for it to return, commonly were resistant to treatment.

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He said if researchers are able to document different ways cancer becomes resistant to treatment, they can learn to delay or circumvent the resistance. 

"It's quite common and therefore it's important to look into," he said.

President of the Border Ovarian Cancer Group Heather Watts said it was great to know their fundraising was helping drive such significant research. 

"It's fantastic, I get inspired when something like this happens knowing the community is behind us and we've all raised so much money," she said.

"I hope we'll get a breakthrough."

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