THE region has been confirmed as a ‘world-leader’ in cancer research after receiving a £7.9 million cash injection from Cancer Research UK.

The charity plans to invest £5.9 million pounds over the next five years at the Cancer Research UK Newcastle Centre to fund groundbreaking work as part of it development of a unique chain of cutting-edge research hubs around the UK.

The funding will be used to accelerate work into diagnosing and treating a wide range of cancers in both children and adults.

This will include extending the understanding of how and why cancers develop, aiding the design of new drugs and supporting the development of personalised medicines, tailoring treatments to each individual patient’s cancer.

A further grant of almost £2 million is planned for the Newcastle branch of the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) from Cancer Research UK and the National Institute for Health Research.

Professor Ruth Plummer, Cancer Research UK and ECMC lead at the Northern Institute for Cancer Research, said the funding announcement confirmed the city’s role as a world-leader in cancer research.

"Together, these Centres accelerate the discovery and development of better treatments for cancer patients in Newcastle, with our unique focus on both children and adults.

“This investment means we will be able to advance our work in developing new cancer drugs - getting discoveries from the laboratory to clinical trials in patients and learning as much as possible from our patients to initiate new research.

"This award represents a critical investment in the research infrastructure at Newcastle, equipping us with the key laboratory and clinical tools needed to advance the understanding and treatment of cancer for the benefit of people in the North-East and beyond."

Another key part of the funding will involve training the next generation of cancer researchers to ensure the brightest scientists are attracted and supported in their career in cancer research.

The Cancer Research UK Newcastle Centre is a partnership between the charity, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle University, the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the North of England Children's Cancer Research Fund.

Every year, 15,600 people are diagnosed with cancer in the North-East.

Lisa Millet from Cancer Research UK said the award of money recognises the fantastic research taking place in Newcastle.

“One in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in our lives – so it’s reassuring to know that thanks to out supporters across the North-East, Cancer Research UK is able to fund some of the best and most promising research, in Newcastle, to help more people survive," she added.

“Each and every step that doctors, nurses and scientists take, relies on donations made from the public and the tireless fundraising from supporters.”

“We have a whole team of fundraisers across the North-East, and those who work with us are invited on tours of research facilities and get to meet the researchers involved, gaining an understanding as to where the money they have raised goes and giving them an insight into the work that they do, forming lovely relationships in the process.”

“Everyone has their own personal motivations behind fundraising for Cancer Research UK, and they know just how important this research is. We are very lucky to have such a loyal group of people committed to helping us”