Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
01 July 2016 07:31
The study will involve both UK and US experts
Researchers in the UK are set to take part in a project launched by US President Barack Obama to help improve cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Scientists in Manchester will collaborate closely with those in the US to develop and refine a sensitive new "liquid biopsy" test. This will detect tumour cells circulating in the bloodstream.
It is hoped that the project will ultimately get the technology into clinics across the globe more quickly. The tech helps doctors to identify cancer patients who are at risk of relapse.
The ultimate goal of the scheme is to create a simple blood test that can spot early signs of cancer in otherwise healthy people.
British experts from Cancer Research UK will now focus on lung cancer studies. Those in the US will focus on bowel cancer.
US Vice-President Joe Biden is leading the initiative, which was originally announced in President Obama's State of the Union address in January.
Holiday plans
Holidays can offer a useful tonic to those who are recovering from cancer.
And they can protect their trips with specific cancer-related travel insurance, which can cover things like lost medication.
The expert's view
Professor Caroline Dive, from the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, said of the new project: "The prospect of using blood samples to detect and track cancer - so-called liquid biopsies - is set to transform cancer care over the next few years.
"We are exhilarated by the prospect of this new partnership, and at bringing this exciting new technology to the UK."
A super-sensitive cell-scanning device developed by Professor Peter Kuhn at the University of Southern California will be used as part of the project.
This identifies circulating tumour cells more efficiently than other techniques, as it can look at each individual cell in a blood sample.
26 September 2018
Loneliness amongst over-50s is set to soar over the coming decades, a leading charity has warned.
[more...]
25 September 2018
Two leading charities have called for better mental health support to be made available for patients living with breast cancer.
22 September 2018
The NHS should switch to electric vehicles across its organisations, health officials have advised.
21 September 2018
UK holidaymakers could be missing out on more than 60 direct flight routes thanks to Air Passenger Duty (APD), a report suggests.
20 September 2018
Living in areas with high levels of air pollution could be linked to an increased risk of dementia, new research suggests.
19 September 2018
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are shelling out tens of thousands of pounds for care - and many are unable to cover the costs, a leading charity has warned.
18 September 2018
As much as £6 of every £10 spent on domestic flights in the UK goes on Air Passenger Duty (APD), new research suggests.
15 September 2018
UK driving licences might become invalid in certain European countries if the UK crashes out of the EU with no deal, the Government has warned.
14 September 2018
Online crowdfunding for cancer treatments is indirectly advancing the rise of alternative "quack" therapies, experts have warned.
13 September 2018
A "wee-stick" like those used in pregnancy testing could be employed to prevent thousands of deaths from ovarian cancer.
11 September 2018
As many as 1.3 million passengers endured severe flight delays in the last year, a new study reveals.
08 September 2018
British Airways customers are cancelling their credit cards after the carrier was hit by a 15-day data breach that compromised the details of around 380,000 people.