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Europe could lose some of its most talented cancer experts unless funding on research is doubled, a survey warns.

The European Cancer Research Managers Forum (ECRMF) said a brain drain of top scientists could damage patient care.

The survey found European Union member states spend seven times less per person on cancer research than the US.

It also found European research focuses on the biology of cancer, rather than the development of treatments and preventative strategies.

And it is heavily reliant on funding from the charitable sector.

However, the UK spent more on cancer research than any of its European peers.

Cancer research funding

US spends 17.63 euros per person

The 25 EU member states spend an average of 2.56 euros per person

US spends four times more as a percentage of GDP

As well as calling for more funds for research, the ECRMF wants to see greater collaboration between funders to ensure the money is spent as effectively as possible.

Dr Richard Sullivan, ECRMF chair, said: "The EU is not spending enough on cancer research and the funding gap between the EU and the USA is so wide that this has major implications both for the ability of the EU to reverse the emigration of cancer researchers to the USA and for the overall commercial attractiveness of the EU.

"With such a close correlation between research activity and high quality service delivery, this is also likely to have an effect, ultimately, on the overall care of cancer patients."

Dr Sullivan said funds were in short supply both centrally from the EU, and from individual states, although there was wide variation.

Breakdown of funding

Europe:

biology: 41%

treatment: 20%

prevention: 4%

US:

biology: 25%

treatment: 25%

prevention: 9%

"In the short term, Europe needs to double the amount it spends on cancer research."

Professor Gordon McVie, senior consultant to the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, estimated that up to 20,000 more lives could be saved each year if funding for cancer research was increased.

He said: "This is a clarion call to the European Commission to increase funding for cancer research.

"The survey shows that Europe is a second-class continent in terms of cancer research funding.

"We know that cancer research leads to better cancer care for the patient, and so it is vital that it is properly funded in Europe."

Kate Law, Cancer Research UK's head of clinical trials, said Europe had the potential to become a cancer research powerhouse.

But she added: "Adequate funding must be found and the research managed effectively to reduce the gap between the US and European cancer research efforts. "However, the UK is bucking the European trend and attracting world class scientists and clinicians from around the globe.

"This is largely because there are significant research funds available in this country due to a strong charitable sector supported by a generous UK public."

A Department of Health spokeswoman said the National Cancer Research Network had been set up to improve clinical cancer research and to make sure more patients benefit from the trials of the latest treatments.