Cancer Research UK presents inaugural prizes at National Conference in Liverpool

Cancer Research UKNov 11 2010

The first ever Cancer Research UK prizes were presented this week at the National Cancer Research Institute Cancer Conference in Liverpool.

Eminent cancer researcher Professor Sir Richard Peto received the inaugural Cancer Research UK Lifetime Achievement prize. Professor Peto is a leading figure in both the prevention and treatment of cancer and helped run a pioneering 50 year study that further established the links between smoking and cancer.

The two recipients of the Future Leaders in Cancer Research Prize were Dr Peter Campbell at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and Professor Jorge Reis-Filho at The Institute of Cancer Research. The Future Leaders in Cancer Research Prize recognises early career researchers who are already showing the potential to become world class leaders in their field.

A team from the University of Newcastle were awarded the Prize for Translational Cancer Research. The team has been at the forefront of the development of an exciting new class of drugs called PARP inhibitors that could treat a range of cancers including breast and ovarian.

The Cancer Research UK Prizes are three new prestigious awards that recognise world leading cancer researchers and the scientists of tomorrow.

Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said: "We hope the prize winners will act as ambassadors for cancer research, spreading the word about the importance of their work and encouraging young scientists to consider cancer research as a career path. Cancer Research UK is committed to beating cancer by supporting the efforts of scientists, doctors and nurses whose hard work is making a real difference in increasing the number of people who survive the disease."