Role of Research in Cancer

Health care policies and best practice guidance should be underpinned by evidence based research and scientific evidence. The evidence base within cancer is constantly growing thanks to the on-going research sponsored both by Government, the Research and Development Office and leading cancer charities. Universities and hospitals within Northern Ireland work in close partnership with each other to advance cancer research and knowledge.

At Queens University Belfast, Belfast City Hospital and the Royal Hospital Trust, a modern Cancer Research complex has been created. This Cancer Research Centre enables clinicians and scientists to work together to seek new ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer.  Click here for further information on Cancer Research UK's Support of the Centre

Within the University of Ulster, the Biomedical Science programme looks at issues such as cancer and ageing, cancer and diet and radiation biology.  There are also several research programmes looking at how lifestyle and behaviour can impact on cancer risk and looking at the quality of life of cancer patients and patient attitudes to specific treatment centres.

The Research and Development Office have brought together researchers from both universities in the Cancer Recognised Research Group for Northern Ireland to further promote cancer research.

There are also significant collaborative links between the Northern Ireland universities and Cancer Research Centre and U.K. and internationally based research centres and universities.

Cancer Clinical Trials

Information about cancer clinical trials is available for patients and the public by clicking here.

An electronic version of the Northern Ireland Cancer Clinical Trials Unit newly published brochure can be viewed here

To view a list of N. Ireland Cancer Clinical Trials Unit & Network Open Trials - March 2010 click here