“Research like this will save lives,” Craig Foster, from Waterlooville, Hants, whose wife, Fariba, died of bowel cancer in February 2024, said.

Fariba had lived with ulcerative colitis since she was 18, when three-quarters of her bowel were removed.

“It gives me comfort to know that there are scientists working right now so that no-one has to experience the same situation Fariba was in,” Craig said.

“Fariba died just six months after she was diagnosed.

“Even though it was a short time, it was the worst time.

“Cancer takes no prisoners – and it doesn’t matter who you are or from what walk of life, everyone is affected in some way,”