The Discover platform

Cancer disparities persist globally, disproportionately affecting ethnic minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. In the UK, around 30,000 cancer cases per year are linked to socioeconomic deprivation, and survival rates remain behind other high-income countries. While efforts have focused on modifiable risk factors like smoking and obesity, there is growing recognition that structural, social, environmental, and biological factors intersect to shape cancer outcomes.

To address this complexity, we have established the DISCOVER platform (Determining the Influence of Social, Cultural and Biological Variations on Ethnic-specific Responses to Cancer) — a scalable, multidisciplinary infrastructure to study cancer disparities across ethnically diverse populations in the UK. DISCOVER will host multiple research arms, each targeting a specific population or disparity focus, and will integrate clinical, molecular, and social data across cohorts. 

The first arm of DISCOVER is the SAMBAI study (Social, Ancestry, Molecular and Biological Analysis of Inequalities), which investigates cancer disparities among individuals of African ancestry. This arm specifically targets breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers, where Black populations experience significantly higher incidence, tumour aggressiveness, and mortality rates compared to other groups.

By combining deep molecular phenotyping, social context mapping, and immunological profiling, the study will generate insight into how ancestry-linked biology and lived experience shape cancer risk and outcomes. The findings will guide both mechanistic understanding and the development of community-driven strategies for earlier detection, improved treatment, and equitable care.