Cancer experts join forces in new Leeds research centre

A cancer centre has opened in Leeds to carry out research into the causes and treatment of the disease.

The centre brings together medical experts from the University of Leeds and Leeds NHS Teaching Hospitals Trust.

The Leeds Cancer Research UK Centre will focus research on bowel, bladder, skin and kidney cancer and hopes to become a world leader in its field.

The centre received funding from Cancer Research UK. The charity puts almost £7m a year into Leeds-based research.

Professor Tim Bishop, head of genetic epidemiology at the University of Leeds, said: "This exciting new initiative will strengthen our efforts to bring together all cancer researchers in Leeds to work together to improve the lives of cancer patients.

The centre will also help bring treatments straight from the laboratory to the clinic, meaning patients will have access to the latest available treatments

Professor Tim Bishop

"By building closer inter disciplinary links with scientists, doctors, chemists, physicists, biologists and engineers we want to increase the pace of research, leading to improved treatments for patients.

"The centre will also help bring treatments straight from the laboratory to the clinic, meaning patients will have access to the latest available treatments."

The centre is one of a chain of Cancer Research UK Centres that are being launched across the UK.

Harpal Kumar, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: "Funding these centres of excellence is one of the charity's priorities and will enable us to work towards the goals we have set to improve the treatment and survival of cancer patients."