UK research spend on cancer doubles within a decade; most fatal cancers see investment

In addition, the amount invested in the three cancers with the poorest survival2 has increased even more over the past decade. More than four times as much money is now being spent on oesophageal cancer and more than three times as much on cancers of the lung and pancreas.

The report has been published to mark the 10 year anniversary of the NCRI, which is an organisation made up of 21 government and charity partners as well as the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. Its role is to promote joint planning and coordination for cancer research in the UK.

Professor Dame Janet Husband, chair of the NCRI, said: "The amount spent on cancer research has risen year on year since the NCRI was formed a decade ago. This is thanks to the British public who make generous donations to cancer charities, and the commitment of government."

how the money is spent

In 2002, when the NCRI first calculated the total spend on cancer research, the figure was £257 million. The most recent data from 2010 shows NCRI partners spent £504 million.

Around 40% of the money goes towards basic research, which aims to understand the biology of cancer, which can then lead to the development of new treatments. And a quarter is spent directly on treatment-related research.

During the last decade, research by NCRI partners have contributed to the global fight against cancer and brought many advances to cancer patients in the UK. These include new tools to detect cancer such as PET imaging3, new treatments like herceptin for breast cancer and a new national screening programme for bowel cancer.

low-survival-rate cancers see improvement in funding

Around 60% of the research is relevant to all types of cancer. Common cancers such as breast, bowel and prostate cancer, as well as leukaemia, still get a relatively high level of funding compared to other cancer types. Of the 40% of research which is specific to a particular type of cancer, breast cancer receives 20%, leukaemia 15%, bowel cancer 10% and prostate cancer 8%.

However, there have been improvements for cancers with the lowest survival rates - pancreatic, oesophageal and lung cancer. Although these cancers receive a smaller share of the funding, the amount spent on research into them has increased more than threefold.

Dr Jane Cope, director of the NCRI, said: "Because the portfolio has grown overall, it has been possible for research in some cancers to be boosted without having to cut back in other successful areas of research.

"It's the NCRI's job to ask where there are gaps in funding and to ensure the big questions in cancer research are being addressed. The most funded cancers have remained at the top of the table but this report is evidence that our partners and the researchers they support are spotting those research needs and starting to plug the gaps.

"Given the current financial climate, it's unlikely research spend will continue to grow at the same rate. But whatever the income, NCRI partners will continue to give priority to areas with the greatest research need."

Source: National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI)