OXFORD cancer scientist Dr Naomi Sharma is urging women to sign up to this year’s Race for Life – and help find a cure for the UK’s biggest killer of husbands, brothers and grandfathers.

Dr Sharma, 33, is conducting ground-breaking research into the treatment of prostate cancer, the UK’s deadliest for men.

The scientist and Churchill Hospital surgeon is funded directly by the charity Cancer Research UK (CRUK), organiser of Race for Life.

She said: “Prostate cancer is now the most common one in men with 11,000 killed by it each year.

“Up until recently research into advanced cases of the disease was carried out in cancer cells grown in a lab.

“But for the first time we have been carrying out more sophisticated research looking at the way cells behave and ‘talk’ to each other in the tissue itself.

“This research has found new genes which drive and grow the disease.

“These could be targeted with drugs already being used for other cancers, as well as new treatments.”

CRUK has already helped to develop Abiraterone (Zytiga), an important new drug for advanced prostate cancer, which is now available for men in the UK.

Dr Sharma, who is expecting her second child in October, added: “I have run the Race for Life in the past and really enjoyed it.

“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to run this year, because of being heavily pregnant.

“But people should be proud that all the money they raise will be ploughed back into research which will then be used to save lives.

“Next year, I will definitely be taking part again.”

Race Facts

  • Race for Life is a women-only 5k walk or jog which this year takes place on Sunday, July 14, at 10am, at the University Parks in Oxford.
  • All money raised in the Oxford event goes directly back into research carried out in the city.
  • Last year, 5,863 women took part, including women who had beaten or were still fighting cancer – raising a total of £341,003.
  • This year, CRUK hopes to get 6,100 people signed up to help raise £350,000 for its continuing research.
  • Registration is now open at raceforlife.org