Cancer Research UK, a major independent funder of research into cancer, will focus on cancers that have poor survival rates, including pancreatic, oesophageal, and lung cancers, it says in its five year plan published today. It will also increase investment in research into radiotherapy and surgical techniques.

The plan sets out the details of how the organisation will spend its budget of around £300m (€360m; $460m) a year to reduce cancer mortality. Although the charity will remain the United Kingdom’s largest funder of research into a range of cancers, it will introduce major initiatives in research into pancreatic and oesophageal cancers and increase funding for research into lung cancer, with special funding streams for work in these areas.

Harpal Kumar, the charity’s chief executive, said, “In these three cancers there has been a degree of nihilism …