John Mason met Cancer Research UK scientists in Glasgow last week to learn about the charity’s world class research in Scotland.
John visited the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute where he witnessed first-hand the groundbreaking research being carried out by scientists and doctors, and heard how research such as this will help to save lives.
Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, Cancer Research UK was able to spend more than £24 million in Glasgow last year on world- leading scientific and clinical research.
The charity announced a further £8 million investment in Glasgow in March, to develop new treatments for pancreatic cancer. Led by Professor Andrew Biankin at the University of Glasgow, the PRECISION-Panc project aims to develop personalised treatments for pancreatic cancer patients, improving the options and outcomes for a disease where survival rates have remained stubbornly low.
John said: “Like everywhere in Scotland, cancer has a huge effect on families in Glasgow Shettleston, so it has been fantastic to visit the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute and hear more about how it’s research is offering new hope to families here and across Scotland.
During the visit to the Institute, John also heard about Cancer Research UK’s latest campaign Scale Down Cancer which is calling for more to be done to tackle obesity in Scotland.
The charity is urging the Scottish Government to introduce measures that will give children the best start in life, by curbing multi-buy discounts on foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar.
Gregor McNie, senior public affairs manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “Research is at the heart of curing cancer, yet we must not forget that four in ten cancers are preventable in the first place.
“Not enough of us know that obesity is the single biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking. Given the devastating impact that cancer has on families across Scotland, it’s vital we see political action on obesity.”
Join the conversation on twitter via @CRUKScotland and #ScaleDownCancer
