Researcher honoured for her work in cancer prevention

A Perthshire researcher’s efforts to encourage more people to visit their doctor sooner has won her a top cancer prevention award.

Dr Katie Robb, from Bridge of Earn, was awarded the 2018 Scottish Cancer Foundation Prize in a ceremony at the Surgeons’ Hall in Edinburgh.

The honour is recognition for her work in behavioural cancer research and in particular in persuading people to seek medical help if they notice a new or changing symptom.

Her work aims to reduce the number of people dying from cancer by catching the disease at an earlier stage when treatments are more effective.

She will receive up to £10,000 of funding, which she plans to use to improve access to cancer screening.

She said: “I’m delighted to be receiving this award and I’m very grateful to all the brilliant scientists and clinicians I have collaborated with who have supported this achievement.

“The prize fund offers an exciting opportunity to accelerate the insights from behavioural science to reduce the burden of cancer locally, nationally and globally.”

Dr Robb was born in Perth and grew up in Bridge of Earn, attending Forgandenny Primary School and Perth High School.

Her work has been described as “essential” by Professor Robert Steele, chairman of the Scottish Cancer Foundation.

He said: “Raising public awareness of the risk of cancer and improving the uptake of screening services are both essential in helping to detect cancer early and improve survival prospects.

“Dr Robb’s work has demonstrated success in these important areas.”