Skin cancer research
What We Know About Skin Cancer
Exposure to UV rays causes damage to cells in the outer layers of the skin, these cells are responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin colour and protects its deeper layers. Too much exposure to UV rays burns the skin and can cause genetic damage in cells which can then become cancerous, resulting in melanoma.
Research at The Institute of Cancer Research
The Institute of Cancer Research is a world leader in skin cancer research and the world leader in cancer genetics. Scientists at The Institute, together with colleagues from The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, made the groundbreaking discovery in 2002 that the B-RAF gene is mutated (damaged) in 70% of melanomas.
Now that we know that mutated B-RAF is a major cause of melanoma, scientists at The Institute are working on an intensive programme of targeted drug development.
Combining this unrivalled position of research with the need to increase awareness of skin protection and monitoring, places The Institute's work centre-stage in the challenge of beating melanoma.
To continue this groundbreaking work we require more funds for our scientists to continue to develop the new drugs required to beat melanoma.
Please help us make a difference in the fight against skin cancer.
