Research opportunities in early detection and diagnosis

Our ambition is to accelerate progress so that 3 in 4 patients survive cancer by 2034. We believe earlier diagnosis offers the greatest potential for transformational improvements in patient outcomes.

To achieve our ambitions, we will:

• Accelerate early detection discovery and validation to understand the biology of cancer emergence and progression, find the markers and innovate the technology to detect early and accurately.
• Accelerate the translation of early detection approaches by working with key stakeholders across sectors and requiring line-of-sight to clinical or population impact for all research investments.
• Encourage an integrated, multidisciplinary, systems approach by bringing together physical, data and social scientists and engineers alongside biomedical scientists through events like sandpit workshops and our international Early Detection of Cancer Conference.
• Work with partners to fund research that crosses the boundaries between disciplines and considers early and pre-cancer with a whole-system lens. 
• Engage industry by delivering networking events to build collaborations and supporting research partnerships between academic researchers and industry.
• Build capacity and develop infrastructure to grow a sustainable early detection research community.
• Support early-career and established researchers from related research fields.
• Invest in new cohorts, sample collections and model systems where there is a clear need for resource.
   

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. 

How can we overcome key research challenges to enable early detection of cancer? We published a paper in Science looking at the current state of the field for early detection research. From understanding the biology and prognosis of early cancer to determining the risk of developing cancer, the authors review some of the biggest challenges and suggest a constructive framework to accelerate progress.

The paper highlights the need for further innovations and development of early cancer detection approaches, as well as an interdisciplinary research culture.

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.