Our research group is strongly committed to the earlier diagnosis and detection of cancers, which in turn leads to better outcomes for patients. Research in this field includes collaborations with national screening programmes for breast, cervical and bowel cancer; as well as research into the use of PSA testing for prostate cancer.

We work closely with the Tumour Epidemiology and Early Detection focus group in the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, bringing together multidisciplinary researchers with expertise in the application of genetics, pathology (including molecular pathology) and molecular biological research methods. Our aims are to better understand the mechanisms that underpin predisposition to cancer amongst “at-risk” individuals and to better predict outcome for cancer patients. Our integrative approach is unique in that we consider environmental exposures, genetic constitution and behaviour in our studies of cancer risk, while combining this information with the genomic and/or molecular features of their tumour in studies of cancer survival or recurrence. Much of our work involves the identification of prognostic and predictive biomarkers related to these aims.

We conduct research pertaining to the early detection of cancer, including pre-cancerous conditions, transition from pre-cancer to cancer, and cancer recurrence. By gaining an understanding of the events that promote pre-cancerous conditions, cancer and cancer recurrences at the earliest possible point through our early detection research, we hope to enable opportunities for early interventions that could lead to improved survival.

Current staff working in this field:

• Professor Helen Coleman
• Dr Charlene McShane