Science and research at Belfast Cancer Research UK Centre

Female scientist in labResearchers at the Belfast Cancer Research UK Centre will build on their existing strengths in 'translational research' – turning discoveries made in the lab into new, more effective ways to detect, monitor and treat cancer. In particular the Centre will pioneer research into breast and bowel cancers, although the work will have wider benefits for many types of the disease.

Many of the scientists are based in the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology (CCRCB) at Queen's University Belfast. They are studying the genes involved in cancer, to understand why individual people respond differently to treatment. And they are hunting for the cancer drugs of the future, developing and testing them through our Belfast Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre. In the future, this work will lead to better treatments with fewer side effects, enabling more people to survive cancer.

Doctor and female patientRadiotherapy is another key focus of research, which will be strengthened and expanded. Next door to the CCRCB, the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre provides radiotherapy for all the cancer patients in the province. Scientists here are pioneering new ways to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of this important treatment to save many more lives in the future.

Building on research progress, doctors at the Northern Ireland Cancer Clinical Trials Unit are bringing new treatments to patients across the region. The capacity of the Trials Unit is set to grow over the coming years, enabling more people to benefit from the latest advances in cancer research.

See Research Highlights in Belfast for a selection of research and researchers in this area.

 

Belfast Cancer Research UK Centre take part in 'thank you' film

Researchers from the Centre for Cancer Research & Cell Biology at Queen's University Belfast and research nurses from the Northern Ireland Cancer Clinical Trials Unit took part in a recent "thank you" film that was produced to be shown at Cancer Research UK Race for Life events across the United Kingdom.

Belfast was one of the first Cancer Research UK Centres to be established and local engagement is one of the key elements of the Centre. Researchers regularly attend events across Northern Ireland to say "thank you" to supporters and to raise awareness of the research happening in Belfast.

 

Podcasts from Belfast

Listen to Professor Dennis McCance, director of Queen's University Belfast's Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology share his views on the launch of the Centre.