£41,000 for ovarian cancer study

Researchers at Leeds University will carry out work to identify drug resistant cells in the cancer which is one of the deadliest facing women.

Symptoms of the condition are often easily confused with more common conditions and it is notoriously difficult to treat, with as many as 40 per cent producing cells which cannot be eliminated using existing drugs.

Sandra Bell, who is leading the study funded by the charity Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “Many women have chemotherapy after surgery to reduce the possibility of the cancer returning.

“Unfortunately, and for reasons we do not yet understand, a large number of these patients produce cancer cells that are not killed by current drugs.”

Ovarian cancer stem cells (CSCs) are thought to be one mechanism by which tumours become resistant to chemotherapy.

It is claimed as many as 500 women’s lives could be saved each year with improved checks for the condition using simple blood tests.