Continued research is vitally important in the fight against cancer. A series of ground-breaking studies in 2007 led to the identification of a number of genetic variations, which could together triple a person’s risk of developing bowel cancer in their lifetime. The studies, led by Cancer Research UK-funded scientists in London and Edinburgh, have led to a better understanding of how a person’s genetic makeup can affect their risk of bowel cancer. In the future, this could help scientists identify who is at increased risk and to develop ways of reducing this risk as well as improving the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.In 2003, Cancer Research UK-funded scientists in Cambridge discovered a new gene linked to breast and ovarian cancer, the EMSY gene. The discovery of EMSY helped to explain for the first time the link between inherited forms of these cancers and “sporadic” cases, where there is no apparent family history. This was a key finding, which may lead to new ways of identifying and treating breast and ovarian cancers.Cancer Research UK is at the forefront of research into the biology of cancer and has an excellent track record in this area. In 2004, a team of scientists from the Institute of Cancer Research and Liverpool University identified that a protein called E2F3, could help predict how aggressive a man’s prostate cancer might be. Many prostate cancers grow slowly but some develop and spread more quickly. The researchers found that higher levels of the protein were associated with more aggressive cancers and poorer survival. This discovery may help doctors in the future to decide on the best treatment for individual patients and avoid unnecessary treatments for men with slower developing prostate cancers.Other Cancer Research UK-funded scientists located the RNA component gene for telomerase, which is switched on in more than 8 out of 10 cancers. Finding a way to turn this switch off could be a key in future cancer treatment.Advances in our understanding of how cells grow and develop are possible due to the pioneering “basic research” the charity undertakes in labs throughout the UK. Most cells have a life cycle that includes phases of growth, multiplication and, ultimately, death. Cancer arises when a cell breaks out of the normal so-called “cell cycle”, starts multiplying out of control and can break away and invade other tissues. Understanding more about what causes these fundamental processes to malfunction forms the basis for much of the scientific work of Cancer Research UK. In 2001, former chief executive of the charity, Sir Paul Nurse, alongside Cancer Research UK scientist Sir Tim Hunt and American scientist Dr Leland Hartwell, won the Nobel prize in medicine for their work on the regulators of the cell cycle, greatly enhancing the knowledge of how cell growth is controlled.The study of cell behaviour associated with cancer is fundamental in improving the treatment of the disease. An example of this is work published by the charity on bowel cancer. Researchers in Belfast discovered a collection of “markers” that doctors could look for in bowel cancer cells to predict the cells’ response to certain drugs. Bowel cancers are often resistant to individual chemotherapy drugs. Giving patients only those drugs that are likely to work would give them the best chance of successful treatment while avoiding unnecessary side effects and over-treatment.The charity has taken over 100 new drugs into clinical trials since 1982. By 2010, it aims to develop 8-10 potential new anti-cancer drugs a year and test them for the first time in clinical trials.Prevention is always better than cure. Cancer Research UK is committed to improving the understanding of the causes of cancer and developing strategies to prevent more cases of the disease. The charity is also dedicated to improving the early detection of the disease and raising awareness of the importance of screening. Screening for breast and cervical cancer has helped to save thousands of lives and Cancer Research UK is now lobbying the government to increase the number of people screened over the next few years. With the introduction of the new bowel cancer screening programme for men and women, the charity’s Screening Matters campaign aims to ensure that at least three million more people take up invitations for breast, cervical and bowel screening over the next five years.Thanks to advances in treatment and early detection through screening, the five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with breast cancer has increased to 80%.In 2004, 284,560 people were diagnosed with some form of cancer. However, in the last decade the death rate for cancer has fallen by 12% and half of all people with cancer now survive beyond five years. Through continued research into the causes and biology of the disease, and studies to improve its prevention, diagnosis and treatment, Cancer Research UK has been able to make real progress in improving the outlook for people with cancer. With further public support and donations, the charity aims to build on this progress and make further advances in the future.To find out more information about the research of Cancer Research UK, or to make a donation, click here.
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