University of Oxford researchers have been given a £1 million boost to support their strategy of developing cancer prevention treatments and early diagnostic tools for people at high risk of cancer.
Cancer Research UK is investing the money over the next five years into a partnership between the University’s Oncology Clinical Trials Office (OCTO) and the Primary Care Clinical Trials Unit (PC-CTU), to deliver a portfolio of precision prevention and early detection cancer trials and become the first dedicated unit in the UK to do so.
By taking this approach, Oxford researchers aim to reduce the burden of cancer care on the NHS.
Professor Sarah Blagden, Director of OCTO at the University of Oxford, said: ‘I am delighted that we have been awarded this funding from Cancer Research UK. This investment will allow us to work with scientists within and outside Oxford to develop ways to prevent cancer or detect it at earlier stages. This is particularly important for people who have risk factors and who currently live in fear in developing cancer. By working closely with our Primary care team, we intend to increase our geographical reach to involve people across the entirety of the UK.’