Welsh experts unite in new bid to tackle cancer

The Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Riordan and the Chair of Velindre NHS Trust, Rosemary Kennedy, have today (Friday 24^thOctober) signed an agreement that sets out the basis for closer collaboration between the two organisations. The Agreement will bring together some of Wales's leading experts in a renewed bid to tackle cancer.

In the UK, one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime and one in four people will die of cancer. Overcoming such an enormous challenge requires a collaborative, multi-faceted approach and this agreement signifies another positive step towards achieving this goal.

Signing the new Agreement, Vice-Chancellor Professor Riordan said: "Cardiff University and Velindre NHS Trust are already working to translate world-leading cancer research and innovation into clinical practice.

"This Agreement represents a further commitment to the continuing challenge to find new and effective treatments for cancer. There are great advantages to aligning our work in a more formal and coordinated way. World-leading scientists working alongside frontline clinicians have the potential to deliver the maximum benefit for cancer patients."

The Agreement builds on existing work between the two organisations. One example is joint research into prostate cancer. Led by Professor Malcolm Mason from Cardiff University's School of Medicine, this work has successfully translated research into better outcomes for prostate cancer patients.

"When the scientists and clinicians work together it often results in better outcomes for patients," insists Professor Mason.

"My work on prostate cancer would not have been possible without the engagement of Velindre's outstanding healthcare and research teams working alongside us in the University, and is an example of what radiotherapy research can deliver. Now we are embarked on the next stage, which will aim to further improve outcomes based on our scientists' identification of which patients need extra treatment, and which ones don't, and what targets we can identify for those patients who need more," he added.

Rosemary Kennedy, Chair of Velindre NHS Trust, said: "Many NHS Wales patients have already benefitted from the joint working between Cardiff University and Velinde NHS Trust.

"We hope this agreement to formalise our collaborative working will result in further cutting-edge treatments for cancer patients cared for by Velindre NHS Trust."

Effective partnerships are crucial for delivering the greatest impact and this collaboration will be instrumental in accelerating the translation of research into the clinic.Work will initially focus on a number of key areas including studies to examine the effects of radiation on cancer cells, the targeting of anti-cancer drugs, and the development of new drugs and treatments.