The Cancer Research UK Genetic Epidemiology Unit carries out research into inherited predisposition to cancer, with a particular emphasis on common cancers. The unit's aims are: to identify cancer predisposition genes; to define their frequencies, associated risks and their interaction with environmental risk factors; to evaluate strategies for avoiding inherited risks of cancer. It is also actively involved in developing statistical methodology.

It’s current research programmes include:

• Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS)
• Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC)
• Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 (CIMBA)
• Breast and Ovarian Analysis of Disease Incidence and Carrier Estimation Algorithm (BOADICEA)
• Breast Cancer Linkage Studies
• Epidemiological Study of Familial Breast Cancers (EMBRACE)
• EMBRACE Radiation Study (EMBRACERS)
• Melanoma and Pigmented Lesions Evaluative Studies (MAPLES)
• Prostate Cancer Association Group to Investigate Cancer Associated Alterations in the Genome (PRACTICAL)
• Studies of Epidemiology and Risk Factors in Cancer Heredity (SEARCH)
• Mammographic Density and Breast Cancer (SIBS)
• Prostate Cancer Susceptibility
• Telomere Study

Head of Unit: Professor Douglas Easton                       Website: www.srl.cam.ac.uk/genepi/