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New cancer treatment developed in Manchester

A new technique to treat lung cancer is being developed in Manchester. Cancer cells will be captured in te patients blood by special magnets. It's hoped, it could lead to better ways to treat patients. It comes as research from Cancer Research UK announces cases of the disease in women is the highest since records began despite a drop in smoking rates.

Lung cancer rates have hit the 20,000 mark say the charity, an increase of 22% soaring from around 14,200 cases diagnosed around 20 years ago.

"It really is devastating to see that the number of women diagnosed with lung cancer continues to climb. We also know survival remains poor and one of the problems is that lung cancer tends to be diagnosed at a late stage when it has already spread. Cancer is very difficult to treat once it has spread around the body.

"It is very challenging to biopsy lung cancer and very hard for the patient too. The new technique we're testing uses magnets to capture rogue cancer cells in patients' blood and could be a more effective form of biopsy - providing vital information on the biology of the disease. And, ultimately, this could lead to better ways to treat patients."

– Prof Caroline Dive, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute

The new technique is being presented at the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition this week by staff from Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute who have travelled to London.