£3.1m boost for cancer projects

Harrogate-based Yorkshire Cancer Research is spending £3.6m on eight new projects covering a wide range of issues including reducing the risk of cancer and the recurrence of cancer, improving early diagnosis and increasing access to palliative care.

Of this, five of the projects, adding up to £3.1m, will take place in Leeds.

They include a £1.3m, four-year programme at the University of Leeds’ Academic Unit of Palliative Care. Previous studies have shown that in Leeds, just 65 per cent of patients with cancer receive palliative care before they die.

Leeds Institute of Health Sciences have been awarded £357,000 to help women with breast cancer reduce their risk of the disease returning using hormonal therapy; a £174,000 trial will attempt to raise take up of cervical screening; and £912,000 will be invested in a stop smoking service. Almost £400,000 will also be invested in a clinical trial of radiotherapy for rectal cancer.

Chief executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, Dr Kathryn Scott, said: “The most exciting thing about these projects is that thousands of people and patients across the region will have the chance to share their knowledge and guide our researchers in finding solutions to problems they face in improving their health and accessing early diagnosis and the very best care.”