National Prevention Research Initiative
Why this partnership was set up
Cancer prevention is one of the most important health challenges of the 21st Century, with the capacity to save millions of lives. Nearly half of all cancers are attributed to various lifestyle and environmental factors, including those linked to tobacco, alcohol, diet, being overweight, inactivity, infection, radiation, occupation, post-menopausal hormones or breastfeeding.
The National Prevention Research Initiative (NPRI) was made up of:
- government departments;
- research councils and;
- major medical charities, including Cancer Research UK.
It was founded in 2004 by the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) and managed by the Medical Research Council (MRC). These partners worked together to encourage and support research aimed at preventing major diseases including cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and strokes.
The aim of this partnership
The core aim of the initiative was to develop and implement successful, cost-effective ways of reducing people’s risk of these illnesses by influencing their behaviour and lifestyle. Between 2004 and 2014, the NPRI funding partners have provided £23 million to support 55 research projects.
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Our Research Strategy
Over the past 120 years, our work has revolutionised what we know about cancer and how we can beat it.
Our research strategy builds on what's already been achieved and sets out how we'll work with our world-class research community towards a better future.