Screening, Prevention & Epidemiology Unit

Unit leads:

Professor Jo Waller  

Professor Ranjit Manchanda

The unit brings together interdisciplinary researchers from molecular epidemiology, biostatistics, epidemiology, cancer prevention, clinical research, economic evaluation and behavioural science. With a focus on existing and novel cancer screening technologies, along with cancer prevention, the unit’s work spans all the way from biomarker development, screening and prevention trials, health-economic analyses, to clinical implementation and evaluation. We work on existing screening programmes and emerging technologies such as multi-cancer early detection tests and applications of artificial intelligence in the cancer prevention and screening context. Our programmes of work include:

• Optimising population-based cancer screening programmes
• Developing and evaluating risk-stratified screening and prevention
• Developing and implementing scalable strategies for genetic applicability in healthcare
• Assessing benefits, harms, cost-effectiveness and equity
• Identifying non-invasive molecular biomarkers to improve screening and prevention programmes
• Understanding behavioural and psychological aspects of screening
• Translating evidence into policy and clinical practice

Our work is funded by a wide range of organisations including Cancer Research UK, Yorkshire Cancer Research, Breast Cancer Now, Eve Appeal, Orchid Cancer Appeal, Barts Charity, Rosetrees Trust, NIHR and NHS England. We work closely with the NHS cancer screening programmes and the UK National Screening Committee, National Institute of Health and Care Excellence, British Gynaecological Cancer Society and other organisations to ensure our findings have real world impact.