Cancer experts in £2.5m programme

Cancer scientists in Surrey have been given a grant of up to £2.5m for a five-year research programme.

The Royal Surrey County Hospital and the University of Surrey will carry out one of five research programmes into breast cancer imaging.

A consortium of radiologists, physicists and engineers will carry out the work.

A total of £45m is being invested into the nationwide cancer research initiative over the next five years.

Detection rates

Of that, £30m has come from Cancer Research UK and £15m from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), a spokesman for the university said.

He said breast cancer mortality had declined over the past 20 years because of earlier detection and improved treatments.

But he said there was "considerable potential" for an improvement in breast cancer detection rates.

He said it was hoped the research would improve detection and lead to greater mortality reduction and reduced anxiety from unnecessary recalls after the initial screening.