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A new initiative from Cancer Research UK and RCS England could help rectal cancer patients avoid unnecessary surgery and recover faster
Thousands of rectal cancer patients could soon avoid surgery thanks to a groundbreaking initiative from Cancer Research UK and the Royal College of Surgeons of England. By using patient data and biomarkers, doctors can now predict who truly needs surgery, potentially reducing unnecessary operations, speeding recovery, and improving quality of life.
The project is funded by a philanthropic donation from Bjorn Saven CBE and Inger Saven, who are long-standing supporters of both Cancer Research UK and the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
Potential to change cancer care and reduce rectal cancer surgery
The new approach, neoadjuvant treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy before the main treatment), has shown promise for some people with rectal cancer. However, it remains difficult for doctors to identify who will benefit most.
The initiative is designed to personalise care and improve the quality of life for those with rectal cancer.
“This initiative reflects the kind of excellence and innovation that can truly change outcomes for cancer patients,” says Bjorn.
“We’re proud to support this research that’s not only ambitious but is rooted in real-world impact. It’s about improving lives through smarter, more personalised treatment.”
Overcoming barriers to personalised treatment
A major obstacle to rectal cancer care is the lack of reliable tools to predict who responds to non-surgical approaches.
The initiative will analyse existing data and identify biomarkers to predict how a patient will respond to chemoradiotherapy. Its goal is more personalised cancer care and fewer unnecessary surgeries.
A new era in data-driven care
“At present, clinicians rely heavily on scans and physical assessments, which don’t always give a clear picture. Also, patients who wish to defer rectal cancer surgery have limited access to clinical trials exploring alternative treatment paths.
“Another challenge is the limited accessibility of outcome data. Although a national colorectal cancer database exists, its data isn’t easily accessible or analysed in ways that inform treatment strategies. One of the aims of this work is to improve how this data is captured and analysed, so it can provide better insights into treatment to help inform patient choices,” added Catherine Elliott, Director of Research and Partnerships at Cancer Research UK.
“The Royal College of Surgeons of England is delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate on innovative research that advances our understanding of cancer and improves the options available for treatment,” says Tim Mitchell, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
“Surgery is an important moment in a person’s life, and we are committed to ensuring surgeons provide the highest standards of care while recognising the importance of supporting patients to choose between their treatment alternatives. This work strengthens evidence available for colorectal cancer treatment, supports clinicians to improve care for patients and will lead to better outcomes in the future,” says Tim.
“Every person with cancer deserves treatment that works for them – not a one-size-fits-all solution,” says Michelle Mitchell OBE, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK. “This initiative is about giving people more choice and better outcomes. It’s a powerful example of how philanthropy and science together can transform lives.”
“We’re deeply grateful to Bjorn and Inger Saven for making this work possible. It marks a historic moment, bringing two leading organisations together in partnership to drive progress for people affected by cancer.”