Revolutionary cancer study to be led by Queen Mary university

A REVOLUTIONARY new study to improve cancer survival rates through early diagnosis is being led by Tower Hamlets academics.

Queen Mary university in Whitechapel yesterday (January 12) announced it had won the �4.7million deal to lead the study.

Leader of the study Professor Stephen Duffy, of Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, said: “It is a big responsibility to be awarded this programme, but it is also a great opportunity to help develop policies to improve outcomes for cancer patients.”

The UK has poorer survival rates from some cancers than its European counterparts.

It is thought this is down to the later diagnosis of cancer.

As part of the study, the team will look into cancer awareness among the public and GP response to symptoms.

It will also look at the successes of cancer screening programmes of cervix, breast and bowel cancer to access the impact they are having.

The five-year project will be funded by the Department of Health’s Policy Research Programme.

Other university involved are King’s College London, UCL and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Outside of the capital, Hull York Medical School, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry and the Durham university are also participating.