FIVE YEAR ANALYSIS OF NCRI CANCER RESEARCH DATABASE, 2002 - 2006
Following collection of cancer research funding data for five annual time points, covering four years of elapsed time, NCRI analysed the data to see how cancer research had changed over this period. This is available as a short summary report Analysis of the cancer research portfolio 2002-2006 or as the full data package (with explanatory notes) CaRD 2002-2006 spreadsheet.
This builds on the initial analysis of the cancer research portfolio (Strategic Analysis 2002).
Note: If you wish to reproduce these data in any publication please contact the NCRI Secretariat by e-mail.
Data headlines from 2002-2006 analysis:
Figure 1: Annualised spend on cancer research 2002 – 2006
Spend on cancer research increased every year at well above the rate of inflation.
Figure 2: Spend on cancer research by Common Scientific Outline
The Common Scientific Outline (CSO) is the system which NCRI uses to categorise the research portfolio by type of research, from basic biology (CSO1) to cancer control, survival and outcomes (CSO6). This is an internationally recognised system, and is used by organisations in the US, Canada, Australia and some European countries. Consistent application of this system allows the national portfolio to be analysed over time, revealing trends. It also allows comparison of portfolios from different organisations and countries.
The kite diagram in Figure 2 allows the profile of spend to be seen at a glance. In the UK, spend on basic biology research (CSO1) accounts for the largest share of the portfolio, at 42%, with spend on treatment next at 22%.
Figure 3: Site-specific versus non-site specific spend, 2006
The portfolio is also categorised by disease site. Not all research can be attributed to a particular disease site. A large portion of basic biology research (CSO1) is not yet linked to a particular disease site, and some awards, for example treatment of pain in cancer patients, will have relevance to all cancer sites.
Figure 4: Percentage of site specific portfolio by disease site, 2006
In 2006 the combined spend on the five most common cancers (lung, breast, leukaemia, colon and rectal and prostate) made up 60% of the site specific portfolio. Breast cancer received the largest amount of funding, with almost £29m invested.
If you are interested in knowing more about the individual awards that make up the portfolio, please see the International Cancer Research Partnership wesbite (www.icrpartnership.org). If you have any questions regarding the data please contact the CaRDI Research Analyst via thomas.white@ncri.org.uk.
