Yorkshire 'at the forefront' of cancer research as its ranked second for number of people in trials

Two thirds of cancer research in Yorkshire and the Humber is funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, according to new figures.
The Leeds Lung Healthcheck has screened more than 4,000 people for signs of lung cancer. Picture: Yorkshire Cancer ResearchThe Leeds Lung Healthcheck has screened more than 4,000 people for signs of lung cancer. Picture: Yorkshire Cancer Research
The Leeds Lung Healthcheck has screened more than 4,000 people for signs of lung cancer. Picture: Yorkshire Cancer Research

During 2019/20, the Harrogate-based charity funded 65 per cent of all recruitment to clinical trials for cancer in the region, the National Institute for Health Research found.

The trials created 9,000 opportunities for people to take part in groundbreaking research, including an investigation into the feasibility of introducing a screening programme for lung cancer and a study of people living with and after bladder cancer.

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Yorkshire ranked second out of 15 local Clinical Research Networks in England for the number of people taking part in clinical trials.

The charity’s chief executive, Dr Kathryn Scott, said: “We aim to bring more clinical trials to Yorkshire so people in our region can be among the first to receive access to pioneering treatments and innovative ways to diagnose cancer.

“These new figures show that the work we fund is making a real impact. Yorkshire is at the forefront of cancer research and we are incredibly grateful to those affected by cancer for taking part in these studies and to the charity’s supporters for making this possible.”

The report lists the Leeds Lung Health Check, a pioneering lung screening programme funded by the charity, as the third largest cancer clinical trial in England.

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In February, the trial had screened more than 4,000 people for signs of lung cancer, and more than 80 cancers had been diagnosed with the majority found at an early stage.

The multi-million pound programme, delivered in partnership with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the University of Leeds and Leeds City Council, aims to test screening in community settings and provide information to improve the effectiveness and benefit of future lung screening programmes.

Dr Scott added: “Yorkshire Cancer Research is committed to involving as many patients as possible in its research. Participation by members of the public provides valuable knowledge to help improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer in our region and beyond.”