New MRC centre to research cancer diet link
7 July 2006
The Medical Research Council (MRC) has awarded £2.3M to fund research into the impact of diet on cancer. This research will take place at the newly established MRC Centre for Nutritional Epidemiology in Cancer Prevention and Survival (CNC) at the University of Cambridge. The centre will be hosted by the University’s Department of Public Health and Primary Care.
Cancer is still one of the most common causes of death in most western countries, including the UK. The new MRC centre will provide international leadership in research into the molecular origins of dietary links to cancer. It will also conduct population studies to determine links between cancer and diet (epidemiological studies).
Dr Sheila Bingham of the MRC Dunn Human Nutrition Unit will head the new Centre. Dr Bingham said, “There is evidence that nutrition plays a very important role in causing or preventing certain cancers. This new funding will allow us to give much needed advice to patients and the general public about what they can do to avoid cancer and improve the chances of survival once it has developed.”
Initial research will build on the findings of the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC) and provide sound scientific evidence to underpin intervention studies, public health advice and clinical guidelines for patient treatment.
Professor John Danesh, head of the host department at the University of Cambridge, said, “This major initiative will help to generate new insights into the relationship between dietary habits and common cancers, and will assist in the development of strategies to prevent disease.”
In addition to research, the MRC Centre will provide a UK focus for multidisciplinary training in nutrition and monitoring cancer in the population (epidemiology). This will include the basic molecular science of cancer, the role of nutrition and epidemiological techniques.
The MRC Chief Executive Colin Blakemore said: ‘‘MRC funding for the Centre is a response to evidence suggesting a causal link between diet and cancer risk. Future research results will help scientists to better understand the relationship between diet and ill health. In the long-term, research conducted at the centre will contribute to public health advice and clinical treatment guidelines to benefit people who suffer from cancer.’’
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Adrian Penrose
MRC Regional Communications Manager (Cambridge)
Ph: 01223 748179
Mobile: 07990 541520
Notes to editors:
As Cambridge approaches its 800th anniversary in 2009, it is looking to the future. It continues to change in response to the challenges it faces. The modern University is an international centre of teaching and research in vast range of subjects: about half of the students study science or technology. Members of the University have won over 80 Nobel Prizes.
