Stark statistics show that one in two people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. And, by 2030, it’s estimated that 230,000 people across Wales will have the disease. This is why research is vital.
This World Cancer Day on Sunday 4th February, Run 4 Wales is encouraging people to sign up to the Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay 10K to raise money for Cancer Research Wales.
Cancer Research Wales is the lead charity for the event. As Wales’s only independent cancer research charity, every penny raised by its supporters stays in Wales to support its lifesaving research into the disease.
Dr Lee Campbell, Head of Research at Cancer Research Wales, said: “Our supporters, like those running the Cardiff Bay 10K for #TeamCRW, are so important. The money they raise will fund our life-saving work and help ensure Wales is at the forefront of cancer research and innovation.
“As the figures show, we’re all going to be impacted by cancer in some way. Fundraising helps to support our scientists to discover breakthroughs and improve outcomes across the country.”
Some of these projects include the PEARL clinical trial and Raman Blood Test.
PEARL: The PEARL clinical trial, based at Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff, aims to make radiotherapy more effective whilst reducing the long-term side effects, with a focus on oropharyngeal cancer (a cancer that affects the soft palate, tonsils and base of the tongue). The current standard treatment with radiotherapy can cause patients to suffer with debilitating side effects, including difficulty swallowing, loss of taste and numbness in the mouth.
The PEARL clinical trial is using PET-CT scans to improve radiotherapy planning, refining the plans halfway through treatment to allow for the shrinkage of the tumour. This should help to preserve the healthy tissues nearby, reducing side effects and ensuring patients have a better quality of life following their treatment.
Raman Blood Test: This innovative research project at Swansea University is developing ways to enhance the early diagnosis of bowel cancer. Currently, detection relies on faecal blood detection kits, which are unpleasant and have low accuracy, followed by a colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis. However, Cancer Research Wales scientists have developed a blood test to detect bowel cancer, which promises to be quicker, easier and more accurate than the current methods. The team are even building on their work to detect other common cancer types, meaning this project has very exciting potential.
Matt Newman, Chief Executive at event organiser Run 4 Wales, added: “We’re so excited to be partnering with Cancer Research Wales for our Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay 10K for the next three years.
“The charity’s research work is vital and participants running as part of #TeamCRW play an important role in helping to increase cancer survival rates in Wales.”
You can register to join the Cancer Research Wales team for just £10, when pledging to raise £120 for the charity. Cancer Research Wales are also an Associate Charity Partner of the Principality Cardiff Half Marathon. They’re giving away 50 free spaces in the race on Sunday 6th October (usually £10) for runners who have joined their Cardiff Bay 10K team (when pledging to raise £120 at the Cardiff Bay 10K and £300 at the Cardiff Half).
