Oncologists call for UK to vote to stay in EU

A group of leading oncologists have written a paper outlining the case for the UK to remain in the EU to maintain the country's contributions to international cancer research efforts.

Writing in the May issue of The Lancet Oncology, scientists from the Francis Crick Institute, the Association of Cancer Physicians and the European Cancer Concord have given their support for remaining in the EU when the UK holds its referendum on June 23rd.

It was argued that the UK's substantial contributions to EU cancer research funding strengthens the research area as a whole, thanks to the availability of research grants and the opportunity to coordinate important multinational collaborations.

UK science also benefits from the free movement of people, with 15 percent of academic staff at British institutions being EU nationals from outside the country.

The paper said: "We must continue to influence and share European policy in important domains such as clinical trials, data sharing and clinical best practice, and deliver the highest-quality cancer research that underpins improved cancer care for our patients."

In an accompanying editorial, the editors of The Lancet Oncology said leaving the EU runs the risk of undermining the provision of care to all patients with cancer.