The British Lung Foundation funds a wide range of research which is designed to tackle a broad spectrum of lung diseases.
This work aims to further our understanding of lung disease, and develop new preventions, treatments and cures for these conditions.
British Lung Foundation research has:
- Identified one of the genes involved in lung cancer
- Pioneered the use of a test to diagnose and monitor lung disease in young children.
- Proved that vitamin C is crucial for healthy lungs.
- Identified which components of air pollution are the most hazardous to our lungs.
- Pioneered effective home-treatment for children with pneumonia.
- Proved that viruses like the common cold are the main trigger for COPD exacerbations.
- Pioneered the use of ‘pulmonary rehabilitation’ treatment for COPD.
- Lead to a 30% reduction in the unnecessary use of antibiotics on the treating chest infections.
- Shed light on how lung cancers become resistant to treatment.
- Showed that appropriate treatment is crucial in helping people with sleep apnoea to drive a car safely.
The articles below describe the outcomes of some of the most successful research we have funded to date.