Lung and oesophageal cancers share poor five-year survival and have only realised limited improvement in the past decade. Improving the quality and quantity of research into these cancers of unmet need is therefore a key priority for CRUK and one shared by our Thoracic Cancer programme here at the CRUK Cambridge Centre. To improve survival rates, patients need to be identified when their disease is at an early or even pre-cancerous stage. Our research strategy therefore focuses on cancer prevention, early detection, and a more precise intervention in high-risk individuals.

Research groups funded or supported by our programme investigate diverse aspects of thoracic cancers, from fundamental basic cancer biology to pure clinical research and translational studies. We also have programme members who lead oesophageal and early stage lung cancer clinical trials, enabling patients to benefit from the latest innovations in cancer science.