The Patrick Evans Foundation donates ‘SureCycler’ machine to the Institute of Cancer Research

Professor Ros Eeles’ genetic research into prostate cancer has received a boost from The Patrick Evans Foundation, which has donated £10,000 for the purchase of a machine which can analyse hundreds of DNA samples very quickly.

Professor Ros Eeles received a grant from Prostate Action in October 2011 to continue her research into identifying genetic changes which increase the risk of prostate cancer. The 'SureCycler' machine will enable her team to analyse the length of the ends of chromosomes, which are thought to shorten as cancer develops. By analysing how these changes can affect someone’s risk of developing prostate cancer, Professor Eeles' team are hoping to identify individuals at increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer, so that eventually men can be given a simple blood test to assess their risk of developing aggressive forms of the disease.

The Patrick Evans Foundation was set up by his family after Patrick died in 2009 in a skiing accident at the age of 21. Patrick had been keen to support prostate cancer research after his father Alun developed the disease. Alun said ‘We’re interested to support Ros Eeles' project as I had prostate cancer in 2002, and it would have been nice to have had some idea that I was at high risk. Ros Eeles' project is all about identifying who will be at risk in the general population, which I think is a particularly good idea.’

Professor Eeles was delighted to welcome Patrick's family to the Institute of Cancer Research to show them the machine in action. She said, ‘We are extremely grateful to The Patrick Evans Foundation for their generosity in funding this wonderful machine. The SureCycler will be able to analyse the lengths of chromosomes so that we can see what association they have with aggressive prostate cancer at the early detection stage of the disease, in order to refine our screening and treatments of prostate cancer.’

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