Cancer Screening and Prevention Research Group

31/07/2026

23/04/2025

As part of an initiative to improve the participation of ethnic minority groups in research, Dr Rhea Harewood had the privilege of discussing her bowel cancer research with the wonderful women at the Asian Women Cancer Group. The session started with some background about the causes and symptoms of bowel cancer, followed by an open discussion about patient participation in bowel cancer research.

Community members also gave their opinions about Rhea's future research plans and offered great insights on how we could share our research and improve the involvement and participation of the public in research. This feedback will be essential in shaping the future of our bowel cancer research. Thank you to everyone who joined.

We're looking forward to future outreach events and meeting more members of our community!

14/01/2025

Oesophageal (food pipe) cancer affects 9,400 people in the UK each year, but survival rates remain alarmingly low. Only 20% of those diagnosed will survive beyond five years, as the disease is often found at a late stage.

However, finding the cancer early can hugely improve a patient's chances. When oesophageal cancer is found early, five-year survival rates increase to 65%. Recognising the symptoms early is crucial in making this possible. We're sharing information about the early symptoms of oesophageal cancer, because they can easily be mistaken for less serious conditions, delaying life-saving treatment.

Early diagnosis is not the only way we can make a difference in oesophageal cancer. We're researching the causes of this cancer across the world to reduce the burden of this disease and help people to make more informed decisions about their future health.

13/01/2025

💚 Less Survivable Cancer Awareness Week 💚

Every year, 6,500 people in the UK are diagnosed with stomach cancer. Tragically, only 25% of stomach cancer patients will survive beyond five years, largely because the disease is often diagnosed too late. But, when caught early, the five-year survival rate increases to 65%!

Knowing the symptoms of stomach cancer can save lives. Early detection is key to improving survival from this cancer. If you're concerned about any of these symptoms, please talk to your GP.

We’re committed to changing these odds. Our team is researching ways to detect stomach cancer earlier—without relying on invasive tests—so that more people have a fighting chance.

28/11/2024

For Stomach Cancer Awareness Month, we're excited to share the GEM Study—a groundbreaking research project funded by Cancer Research UK and led by Dr. Gwen Murphy.

Did you know that stomach cancer is the fifth most common cancer globally, but only 25% of patients survive beyond five years? This is often because it's diagnosed too late when treatment options are limited.

The GEM study aims to identify blood biomarkers that could revolutionise the early detection of stomach cancer. If successful, this research could lead to the development of a simple blood test that could assess stomach cancer risk. Early detection is key to improving survival rates from stomach cancer and we hope that our work will contribute to this important goal.

Learn more about this work on our website!

26/11/2024

November is Stomach Cancer Awareness Month so let’s talk about the symptoms of stomach cancer.

Did you know that only 25% of people diagnosed with stomach cancer survive for 5 years after diagnosis? This is because stomach cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage when treatment options are limited. However, recognising the signs of stomach cancer early can make all the difference.

Watch out for symptoms like:
- Persistent acid reflux
- Feeling full quickly
- No appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Pain or difficulty in swallowing

Do see your doctor if you are concerned about any of these symptoms. Learn more about stomach cancer at Cancer Research UK - https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/stomach-cancer

22/11/2024

Last night, Dr. Gwen Murphy had the pleasure of speaking at the wonderful ParkLife Cafe in Harrow Weald! This community-led café, run by dedicated volunteers, is a fantastic hub for talks and events across a wide spectrum of topics.

Dr Murphy's talk was part of an exciting series hosted by Imperial researchers, focusing on cancer awareness. This talk was centred around oesophageal cancer, highlighting the potential causes of this disease and discussing how cancer risk can be reduced with lifestyle changes. Dr Murphy also highlighted some of our lab’s upcoming research projects, including work to better understand the causes of oesophageal cancer.

We were thrilled with the meaningful discussions we had with the community members who braved the cold weather to join us. A big thank-you to everyone who attended both in-person and online and shared your thoughts – your feedback helps us to shape our work and how we communicate it.

And finally, thank you to our gracious hosts at ParkLife Café for their warm hospitality! It was a privilege to be able to connect with the community and exchange ideas about our work.

21/11/2024

What is Lynch Syndrome, and Why Does It Matter?

Did you know that some bowel cancers are linked to a genetic condition called Lynch Syndrome? This inherited condition increases a person’s lifetime risk of cancer up to 80%, with the highest risks being for bowel and womb cancers. It also raises the likelihood of developing other cancers such as ovarian, stomach, and kidney cancers.

Lynch Syndrome is responsible for around 1 in 30 cases of bowel cancer, yet it’s severely underdiagnosed. Out of an estimated 180,000 people in the UK living with Lynch Syndrome, only 6,000 have been diagnosed. That’s just 5%, leaving tens of thousands unaware of their increased cancer risk.

Cancer occurs when cells with damaged DNA multiply out of control. Usually, a set of genes called mismatch repair genes fix the damaged DNA before this can happen, but in Lynch Syndrome, these repair genes are faulty and can't stop the cells from multiplying. Lynch Syndrome is passed through families with each child or sibling of an affected parent having a 50% chance of inheriting the condition.

What Can Be Done?
- Genetic Testing: Lynch Syndrome is diagnosed by testing a person with cancer. If the test is positive, family members can also be tested.
- Screening Tests: Patients with Lynch Syndrome can undergo regular cancer screenings, such as more frequent colonoscopies, to detect and prevent cancer early.

If you have a family history of bowel cancer or other cancers linked to Lynch Syndrome, talk to your doctor about genetic testing. Early diagnosis and screening can save lives!

With so many undiagnosed cases, raising awareness about Lynch Syndrome is crucial. Let’s work together to ensure families get the information and care they need.

21/11/2024

Bowel cancer is the 4th most common cancer in the UK and the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths. Every day, around 120 people in the UK are diagnosed with this disease—that’s more than 44,000 cases a year. Sadly, over 16,000 lives are lost to bowel cancer annually.

Knowing the risk factors for bowel cancer can help reduce your chances of developing it. Here are some steps you can take to lower your risk:

✅ Eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fiber and less processed meat.
✅ Be physically active - maintaining a healthy weight with exercise can reduce your risk of bowel cancer and many other diseases.
✅ Quit smoking—it's never too late to benefit from quitting smoking.
✅ Reduce alcohol intake—drink less than 14 units of alcohol a week, this is equivalent to 6 pints of beer.

Making even small changes in your lifestyle can have a big impact on your health.

To learn more about bowel cancer risks and how to protect yourself, visit Cancer Research UK’s guide: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/bowel-cancer/risks-causes

21/11/2024

Welcome to the Cancer Screening and Prevention Research Group (CSPRG)!

The CSPRG is a research group dedicated to advancing knowledge about gastrointestinal cancers, including bowel, stomach, and oesophageal cancer. Our research, funded by Cancer Research UK, focuses on the causes of these cancers, finding ways to prevent them, and improving methods to screen and detect them earlier.

Our mission is to reduce the number of people being diagnosed with and dying from these cancers. To do this, we’re exploring not just the most effective screening methods, but also how to make these tests more acceptable and accessible for everyone.

Follow our page to learn more about our work, explore our latest findings, and stay informed about how we are contributing to the fight against cancer.