Research opportunities in early detection and diagnosis
We have a broad variety of opportunities to help researchers progress their early detection and diagnosis research or get involved in this field for the first time, from research funding grants to events and conferences.
We support research across the pipeline, from discovery research which takes us further in our understanding of early-stage disease, to translational studies and research which bridges the gap between scientific breakthroughs and clinical practice or healthcare policies.
Cancer Tech Accelerator
Do you have an early-stage technology in development that is focused on diagnostics, MedTech or AI?
We’ve launched the Cancer Tech Accelerator, our latest entrepreneurial programme in partnership with Capital Enterprise and Roche UK, designed to equip you with the entrepreneurial and technical skills required to translate your tech-led innovations into a start-up that can benefit patients, especially in the field of early cancer detection and diagnosis.
Early Detection and Diagnosis of Cancer: a Roadmap to the Future
Derived from extensive consultation across the early detection and diagnosis ecosystem, the Early Detection and Diagnosis of Cancer Roadmap aims to unite fragmented efforts across the UK to drive progress in early detection and diagnosis. We’re calling on everyone from researchers and industry, to regulators, the NHS and the public, to combine efforts to realise a future where early detection and diagnosis is a routine reality.
International Alliance for Cancer Early Detection
Events and conferences
Our events break the barriers between disciplines and open up new avenues for collaborative research. We have upcoming conferences in early detection and early diagnosis, as well as online archives of highlights and outputs from previous events.
| Event | Key information |
|---|---|
Innovation Sandpit Workshop: Novel technological approcahes for the early detection of pancreatic cancerAt this intensive and interactive three-day residential event you'll have the opportunity to network, form new multidisciplinary collaborations, develop new ideas and pitch for seed funding. |
29 Nov – 2 Dec 2020 Virtual |
Early Detection of Cancer ConferenceOur annual early detection conference brings together world experts across a range of disciplines to discuss themes including the biology behind early-stage cancers, new detection and screening methods, and enhancing the accuracy and uptake of screening. |
2021 TBC
|
Early Diagnosis Research ConferenceOur biannual early diagnosis research conference explores research on the diagnostic pathway, including screening, public awareness of symptoms and factors in the primary and secondary care systems. |
Spring 2021
|
Virtual Academic-Industry Meetups for Cancer Early Detection and DiagnosisAre you an early detection researcher looking for new opportunities to exchange ideas and interact more closely with industry collaborators? Are you a company looking for academic partners to explore how your technology could be applied to cancer early detection and diagnosis, or to overcome roadblocks in your development? Bridging the sectors of academia and industry, our virtual meetups will help you meet your next collaborator. |
Jan 2021
|
Our portfolio
We fund the best research from the best researchers, across the spectrum of early detection and early diagnosis research. The case studies below provide a taste of the kinds of projects and programmes that we support.
Risk stratification, AI and bold new ideas: our latest funded early detection research
We’re using our funding to build a broad and strong early detection research community and we recently invested in 15 new projects and programmes in this field.
A transatlantic collaboration to develop blood tests that pinpoint cancer location
Dr Chunxiao Song and Dr Thuy Ngo aim to use epigenetic and transcriptome technology to detect cancer earlier and provide information on where the cancer originated from, using funding from our CRUK-OHSU Early Detection awards.
New-onset diabetes: a link to help detect cancer earlier
Professor Eithne Costello is developing a diagnostic test to detect pancreatic cancer at an early stage in individuals with new-onset diabetes with the support of our Early Detection Programme Award.
Detecting blood cancers earlier than ever before
Professor Jesus San Miguel is leading an international, multidisciplinary team which is creating new models and datasets which will accelerate research into the early detection of blood cancers.
CanTest: bringing new and improved cancer diagnostic tests to GPs
Our Catalyst Award is building capacity for a step change in population research, and has funded its first programme: CanTest – offering patients the right test, at the right time, and in the right setting.
EDAG funded projects and outputs
![[Photo of nurse]](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/styles/cruk_no_style/public/nurse_on_phone_258px_for_3_column_panels_0.jpg?itok=6CE6CuH6)
EDAG funds policy-relevant research or activities that are adding to the scientific evidence base to achieve earlier diagnosis and enable access to treatment.
Strengthening foundations: our Early Detection Partnership
We're partnering with the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, a world leader in precision cancer medicine, to accelerate progress by identifying and tackling the barriers to earlier detection.
Preventing unnecessary breast cancer treatment: a Cancer Grand Challenge
Professor Jelle Wesseling is leading an international team seeking to understand which women with DCIS will develop breast cancer, in a £15 million partnership with the Dutch Cancer Society.
Spotting the earliest signs of cancer with a fluorescence camera
Dr Sarah Bohndiek, a physicist at our CRUK Cambridge Institute, is investigating new technologies for detecting oesophageal cancer cells earlier.
More progress in detecting oesophageal cancer early
Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald, a clinician scientist at our CRUK Cambridge Centre, is trialling Cytosponge, a new device that could accelerate the detection of oesophageal cancer and its precursor, Barrett's oesophagus.
Our Moonshot pledge to accelerate early detection
Professor Caroline Dive at our CRUK Manchester Institute is using cutting-edge technology to analyse circulating tumour cells in a collaboration with the US Cancer Moonshot initiative.
Partnering with industry to discover new biomarker tests
We're working with Abcodia, the biomarker validation company, to develop new blood tests to detect a range of cancers, combining our complementary strengths and drawing new value from our unrivaled sample collections.
Resources, facilities and infrastructure
Our long-term investment in state-of-the-art facilities helps to support a thriving network of research around the UK. Our network includes four core-funded Institutes, home to world-class discovery research, and translational Centres which build collaboration with the UK's healthcare system to ensure our research benefits patients sooner. We have particular strengths in early detection and diagnosis research at our Centres and Institutes in Cambridge and Manchester.
Our infrastructure is open for collaboration and partnerships, and provides many opportunities for you to progress your research.
Improving translation of research for better patient outcomes
In 2018, we teamed up with the Academy of Medical Sciences to address the challenges facing emerging early detection and diagnosis approaches and technologies. Our report outlines changes which could accelerate translational research and the implementation of early detecton and diagnosis approaches and technologies in the healthcare system.
Sign up for our newsletters
We have a number of newsletters to help you stay up to date with developments in early detection and diagnosis, and with new research opportunities.
- Our monthly Research Update newsletter includes information on our research strategy, funding and events for researchers
- Our Early Diagnosis newsletter includes updates on the latest research, policy developments and practical guidance for health professionals
More content like this
Our policy on early diagnosis
We work to ensure that diagnosing cancer early stays at the top of the agenda, and that research discoveries translate into healthcare policies and clinical practice in the NHS.
Resources for health professionals
Find out about activities in the UK focusing on early diagnosis of cancer, including screening projects and resources, and our early diagnosis research conferences.
Our research on early diagnosis
Our scientists are looking at new ways to detect cancers earlier, and we've contributed to some of the advances that have seen cancer survival rates double over the past 40 years.