Beating cancer

University scientists head to China this week in a bid to combat some of China's biggest killer cancers. China, along with Japan and Korea, continue to record some of the highest cases of gastric, lung and gastrointestinal cancers.

Now, experts from Cardiff University will get the chance to share their expertise and knowledge at two high-profile cancer conferences in Beijing.

"Cancer fails to recognise boundaries or geographical frontiers. If we are serious about tackling cancer then it demands a truly international effort and response," according to Professor Malcolm Mason, School of Medicine, who will discuss the enormous challenge of controlling stomach cancer across the two countries.

"Cardiff University already enjoys strong research links with clinical and academic colleagues in China. These two conferences will bring together the best of Welsh expertise with the some of the best minds from China.

"It will also help us draw together universities, government and gain new understanding of healthcare systems in both countries to renew our efforts to combat these killer cancers," he added.

The visit forms part of wider efforts to bring leading cancer experts from Wales and China together.

Cardiff University already enjoys research collaborations with China's Peking University and Capital Medical University.   

Cardiff University's Peking University Oncology Joint-Institute was launched in 2013. It was established to help build research capacity to tackle the most urgent questions in beating cancer.

In 2012, Cardiff University – Capital Medical University's (CMU) Joint Centre for Biomedical Research was also established.

The growing relationship with CMU has also seen the introduction of the Cardiff University China Medical Scholarship.

The Scholarship has enabled more than 50 Chinese medics in the last 5 years to spend time in Cardiff for research training, clinical experience and education.

Professor Wen Jiang, Director of the Cardiff University-Peking University Joint Cancer Institute, who will make an address at both conferences adds: "These two high-profile conferences are a real opportunity to bring together the best cancer minds.

"We hope to take this opportunity to renew and develop new research links."

The Cardiff-Peking Cancer Symposium takes place in Peking on the 28^thJune. The conference will focus on gastric cancer and forms part of the China National Congress on Gastric Cancer.

The China-UK Cancer Conference takes place on the 30^th June and will focus mainly on lung cancer. Lung cancer remains the biggest killer in China and across the world.

Pro Vice-Chancellor for International and Engagement, Professor Hywel Thomas, who will also address both conferences added: "The new prospects that working with an economy like China offers the University are very exciting.

"These high-profile conferences will not only build our international profile and put Cardiff and Wales firmly on the world map but, more importantly, help us share expertise and knowledge and move towards tackling the scourge of cancer."