Bowel cancer: Fund pioneering cancer prevention research using aspirin

What's the science behind this project?

Deciphering the molecular mysteries underlying bowel cancer has long been an important part of our research. Our scientists were the first to track down a key faulty gene that contributes to most cases of bowel cancer, sparking ideas for new ways to tackle the disease.

Large studies have shown that small, regular doses of aspirin over several years may help to prevent bowel cancer but we don't know exactly how the drug works.

There are still questions we need to answer about the use of asprin. We need to better understand who it might benefit most, more about the unwanted side effects and who is likely to experience them and what dosage would be most effective.

Understanding how asprin affects cancer cells on a molecular level could hold the answers to these questions and Dr Farhat Din (pictured on the right) is leading pioneering research in this field.

Cancer develops when a process called cell division goes wrong. Our body's cells make copies of themselves by dividing. This is normal - it enables children to grow and as adults, it helps our bodies heal wounds.

Cell division is normally strictly policed by instructions within our DNA which in turn control a network of proteins. These proteins send out chemical messages telling cells how to behave. When these instructions and proteins become faulty, normal cells divide uncontrollably and a tumour develops.

Bowel cancer cells contain a faulty messaging protein which triggers uncontrolled cell division. Dr Din's research has shown that aspirin can switch off this faulty protein and prevent uncontrolled cell division. In order to unravel exactly how the drug works, she is studying cancer cells grown in the lab as well as tissue samples from patients who have taken asprin.

The difference you can make

Survival rates for bowel cancer have doubled over the past 40 years and it's thanks to our supporters who continue to fund vital research into this cancer, that we are seeing such encouraging improvements in long-term survival.

The £100,000 will help fund one year of this promising research.

Donate now to support this vital research into preventing bowel cancer.

Pure Gym join the fight

Pure Gym, the UK's leading affordable fitness chain is delighted to support Cancer Research UK in its efforts to prevent and cure cancer and aim to raise £100,000 over the next 12 months.

Every new member who joins Pure Gym is asked to make a small donation to Cancer Research UK when they join. This has proved very successful in raising thousands of pounds for the charity already.

Pure Gym will also run local and national fund raising events to generate more donations.

Pure Gym offers gym membership across the UK with no contract and no catch. Gyms are open 24 hours and have over 220 pieces of kit.

Founded in April 2009, the revolutionary gym chain is backed by New Look founder Tom Singh and currently has 28 gyms in the UK.