Cancer Detectives: Finding the Cures

The work of trailblazing scientists taking on the disease, exploring how their pioneering work is changing patients' lives right now. This programme focuses on Professor Sarah Blagden, who is attempting to stop cancer before it even starts. Her pioneering clinical trials feature Trevor, a retired Navy veteran whose skin cancer has spread. Could Sarah's immunotherapy trial save Trevor's life? Twenty six-year-old Ella has a genetic condition giving her a 90 per cent chance of developing cancer. Ella hopes to join Sarah's prevention trial and live without fear.

Neurosurgeon and scientist Richard Mair races to treat patients with deadly brain cancers as part of a world-first clinical trial intended to give patients more time. He analyses patients' tumour DNA and rapidly matches them with targeted drugs. It could be the biggest leap forward in brain cancer for 30 years. Taking part in the trial is family man David, who's having brain surgery and tests to discover if he has an aggressive cancer. Amanda was one of the first people to join Richard's trial, after discovering that her brain tumour had returned. She prepares to hear the results of some vital tests.

The work of Manchester-based professor Caroline Dive, who is developing innovative blood tests to detect cancer, well before it's visible on a scan. She is looking for tiny fragments of cancer DNA in the blood, which is comparable to searching for a needle in a haystack. Her innovative tests will also give clues on how to treat cancer, and in some cases cure. Taking part in her clinical trials are mechanic Lee, a medical mystery as doctors can't find where his cancer started, and Damian, who hopes to discover if his recent skin cancer will come back so he can move on with family life.