The Cancer Screening and Prevention Research Group is dedicated to improving the understanding and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. Our work focuses on three key areas: the causes of gastrointestinal cancers, screening for colorectal (bowel) cancer, and colorectal cancer surveillance.
Gastrointestinal cancer causes
In studying the causes of gastrointestinal cancer, we aim to learn more about how these cancers develop and how they might be prevented. We will explore how lifestyle factors such as smoking or obesity impact gastrointestinal cancer development across the world, whether some digestive diseases can affect a person’s risk of developing cancer, and if common medications can reduce this risk.
Colorectal cancer screening
Improving screening methods for colorectal cancer will help to diagnose cancer patients earlier. We will study how screening tests like flexible sigmoidoscopy and the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) can improve screening and review the effectiveness of the current NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.
Colorectal cancer surveillance
Regular tests and checks for people at high risk of colorectal cancer, referred to as cancer surveillance, are essential to protect them against this cancer. We want to understand how we can use different surveillance methods to best protect patients. We will investigate the efficacy of current surveillance guidelines across different patient groups and develop systems to improve colorectal cancer monitoring for everyone.
These research goals will help us improve cancer prevention strategies, enhance screening programmes, and optimise surveillance methods, leading to better outcomes for patients at risk for, or diagnosed with, gastrointestinal cancers.