Cancer Research UKAug 6 2010

New skin cancer research centre opens in Bristol

A new Skin Cancer Research Fund Laboratory has been set up in Bristol to study cancer cells collected from skin cancer patients attending Frenchay Hospital. 

It is hoped the new facility will speed up research into treatments for malignant melanoma - the most deadly form of skin cancer. The new laboratory at the Microvascular Research Laboratories (MVRL) at the University of Bristol will be officially opened today (Tuesday August 22nd) by the director of the Skin Cancer Research Fund, Mr Paul Townsend. 

Dr Laura-Jane Armstrong, science information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: "We welcome the opening of the New Skin Cancer Research Fund Laboratory in Bristol. Cases of melanoma are on the increase and this type of potentially fatal skin cancer can be very difficult to treat if it isn't caught early. Research is vital to help us understand melanoma and develop new drugs to treat the disease.

"People most at risk of skin cancer are fair skinned, have lots of moles or freckles or a family history of the disease. The key message of Cancer Research UK's SunSmart campaign is don't burn. People should also spend time in the shade when the sun is at its height, cover up with T shirts, hats and sunglasses and apply factor 15+ sunscreen."

Dr David Bates, who will head up the new labs, said: "We anticipate being able to give hope and support to patients with skin cancer by building on our recent breakthroughs, and finding out how to better treat the condition once it spreads".