Image from research strategy 2014 document
To coincide with the publication of our Annual Review, here are some of the key research milestones that our amazing supporters have helped fund.
April 2013
The breast cancer drug tamoxifen could also be used to reduce the chances of some women developing the disease, showing that even research into older drugs can provide new ways to prevent and treat cancer.
May 2013
Image via Greg Harding
A collection of genetic ‘fine tuners’ control how the body’s immune system responds to a certain type of breast cancer.
June 2013
Shape-shifting skin cancer cells squeeze through gaps as they spread. And more of our research on the way cancer cells move opened up potential opportunities for targeting the disease.
July 2013
We launched our revolutionary TRACERx study that will plot the evolution of lung tumours in real time. In a world first, our researchers will track the genetic changes in patients’ tumours, as the disease develops and – for some – becomes resistant to treatments.
August 2013
We announced a groundbreaking trial for neuroblastoma – BEACON – which will find out the best treatment for children whose disease has returned. You can read more about the scientist behind the trial – Professor Andy Pearson – in this blog post.
September 2013
Image via Greg Harding Credit: Greg Harding
A gene linked to the repair of damaged DNA could also protect against ovarian cancer.
October 2013
A DNA de-tangling molecule emerged as an important protector against cancer. It unwinds DNA so that it can be copied, and our researchers have discovered how faults in this molecule could lead to several types of cancer.
November 2013
Cambridge researchers pinpointed a molecule that could help spot aggressive and non-aggressive prostate tumours – information that’s vital in selecting tumours in need of immediate treatment and others that can be safely monitored.
December 2013
Exciting results from a long-running clinical trial showed that taking the breast cancer drug anastrozole for five years halves the chance of high risk women developing the disease.
January 2014
Image via Greg Harding
In a first for childhood cancer, a new clinical trial set out to test a type of ‘molecular radiotherapy’ in children with neuroblastoma.
February 2014
A team of scientists from our London Research Institute mapped the evolutionary diversity found in kidney cancer in unprecedented detail. We caught up with the lead researcher – Professor Charlie Swanton – to find out more about how tumours evolve.
March 2014
The shape of an abnormal protein was linked to an aggressive type of lung cancer. The discovery could help doctors predict which patients will benefit from certain targeted treatments for the disease.
And, of course, there has to be an honourable mention for the thousands of people who picked up their phones to donate following the #nomakeupselfie trend.
April 2014
An ambitious new clinical trial is looking to test personalised treatments for lung cancer. The Matrix trial is part of a new age of clinical trial design, offering opportunities to test multiple drugs in a single trial – watch the animation below to find out more.
These are just a small selection of the standout research moments from our year in review, achievements that have only been made possible via the generous donations from our supporters. So we want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your fantastic support.
To read more about our recent achievements take a look at our “Highlights of 2013” blog post, or head over to the annual review page on our website. And to stay up to date, you can subscribe to this blog, either via its RSS feed, or by typing your email address into the box in the right hand column.
Nick
Comments
Nicola August 23, 2014
First of all, thanks for sending me an email! It’s great you let people know what their money goes towards. Although I think there should be more visual aid on the site to explain what the points mean (I can’t use the links on mobile) and not just one video at the very end. Other than that, it’s fab!
Margaret August 22, 2014
Our son would not be here now without the help of Cancer Research UK he had testicular cancer in 1997 which was very advanced and had a very low chance of recovery. He was given stem cell treatment which was very new the and it almost killed him but he is now a healthy young man with a wife and thanks to storing sperm is a father. We can never thank Cancee Research UK enough and will always continue to fund raise for them as long as we are able.
Allan Trousdale August 22, 2014
Thank you for your continued efforts on behalf of those who suffer from any of the many cancers. Your newsmails are very welcome.
Edna Williams August 22, 2014
It is good to know of progress in more detail. Are bone marrow cancers (eg Waldenstrohm’s) a separate issue? Is there any progress in research in this domain?
Nick Peel August 21, 2014
Thanks everyone for your comments. We’ve noticed some of you mentioning brain tumours and pancreatic cancer as important areas in need of more research – we agree, which is why we have made these cancers (along with oesophageal cancer and lung cancer) a major research priority for us in the future. You can read more about how we are tackling these cancers in our blog post about our new strategy. And you can read more about our research on brain tumours here and pancreatic cancer here.
Thank you all once again for your amazing support.
Nick, Cancer Research UK
Na'amat Little August 21, 2014
Thank you for your website and for both the information given about cancer updates and comments from people. It is wonderful to know the achievements made so far in combating different kinds of cancer. Brilliant news. Wonderful information resource.
Tracy August 21, 2014
I am truly grateful to everyone involved in Cancer Research. From the women ( yes every single one of us) that get’s out and helps raise money for cancer research, for the families and friends that help support us during our fund-raising and for the doctors and their teams who help to save lives and not forgetting the all important research!
My mum fought bravely vaginal cancer 8 years ago and touch wood is still clear. Cancer made a comeback as a tumour on her head which she bravely dealt with last year and has successfully been removed. Although on 3 monthly check for 5 years now, we live in hope that this will not return but she will keep fighting, as will the family to rid my mum of this awful disease and everyone else that is currently suffering or suffered from this horrific disease. We could not do this without everyone’s support – thank you from the bottom of my heart for keeping my wonderful mum alive!
Margaret Watford August 21, 2014
Amazing work, I had radical surgery for uterine cancer a year ago, then 3 months later my daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer at 38 weeks pregnant We can’t thank everyone enough during our treatment, although she has undergone far more than me & with a young baby to care for. Please keep donations coming in for this good cause & I think we will eventually beat this dreadful disease.
Yvonne Lunn August 20, 2014
I lost my wonderful husband in 2012 to oesophageal cancer. For six months he suffered so badly. Anything Our family can do to help cancer research we will.
The progress you are making is wonderful.
Michele freeman August 20, 2014
I will do anything I can for us to beat cancer , my daughter was 2 1/2 and was diagnosed with retanomblastoma we have been going to Birmingham children’s hospital for 2 1/2 yrs for her treatment she had 4 tumors in her left eye which see has no sight in now but managed to keep her eye, she also carries the genetic gene , she will be monitored for the rest off her life we now go to Manchester children’s hospital for regular check ups every 4 months, also my mum has had breast cancer the first time was 23 years ago she had radiation for her treatment , she was diagnosed with it again 3 months ago in the same breast which she had to have removed 3 wks ago and is doing well she has to take tablets now for the next 5 yrs , so I think my family have had enough to deal with, with cancer so we all need to do what we can to beat it
Val Alderson August 20, 2014
My husband was diagnosed recently with rare and aggressive Merkel cell carcinoma. He is 78 and has heart conditions which mean he cannot have any treatment if the cancer spreads to his lungs and liver, following the 2 ops he’s had on his arm. He will have to make a 2-3 hour journey daily, 5 days a week for 6 weeks, for radiotherapy, currently only available at Poole Hosp. Any research to help patients with these rare conditions would be wonderful please …
Eve Dewhurst August 20, 2014
I think your website is very good. I was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2007, had an operation, but it had spread to a lymph gland, so I was advised to have a six-month course of chemotherapy. I had two types of chemo, and was much helped during this treatment by Chinese herbs. Last September my oncologist said he never says never, But he is 99.9% certain the Cancer won’t come back. The chemo has left me with peripheral neuropathy, particularly in my feet. Acupuncture has helped a lot, but the main thing is There is no Cancer! Great, isn’t it? I am so grateful to Cancer Research for the work it does. I have become a Patient Governor at my local Hospital where I had marvellous treatment in the chemo suite, and maybe II can give something back.
angie d August 20, 2014
I am very fortunate as my brother has just received theall clear from nasal pharyngeal carcinoma !! You never understand cancer until it affects you or those your close too, if we can help fight cancer im in !!
Cheryl James August 20, 2014
Very informative.
Having had breast cancer myself it’s great to see the progress that’s being made as the fear of it returning is always there.
Margaret Smith August 20, 2014
I think the work on research is great, The web site is very interesting full of information, very helpful in keeping people up to date with recent research.
Helen Turton August 20, 2014
I lost my mom to cancer 18months ago, it shattered my world. I wanted to do something in her memory so its good to know that research is advancing in order to help people survive such an aggressive and destructive disease.
Nicola August 20, 2014
I am even more thankful of the progress made in cancer research, as last month I was diagnosed with breast cancer, so thank you for your hard work and dedication
eric whitfield August 20, 2014
My brother-in-law died of Bowel cancer, he did not get a Doctor to do something soon enough, i don’t think he liked going to a Doctor until it got really bad, & this is one Cancer where you need quick treatment, the signs soon show too!
Maxine Hutchinson August 20, 2014
i think your website is really good with very intersting things
Julie Girgis August 20, 2014
Great news and very positive but no mention specifically to Pancreatic Cancer which has effected my family twice. Still no change there but have to be optimistic.
Thank you.
Angela Hughes August 20, 2014
Brain tumours need more research I lost my mum to brain cancer and it receives very little funding but has a very high mortality rate.
Jayne Smith August 20, 2014
Well done for all your hard work,and keep supporting this wonderful cause,for without the donations there would be no research!!
Ray Beckett August 20, 2014
I think that the work that you are doing to beat cancer is great.
But I also think that it is a disgrace that you have to rely on charity to continue the work.
Jonathan Chorlton August 20, 2014
I think it is brilliant that you correlate all this information for us to view. I am involved in the “Radicals” trial that is running for prostate cancer at the moment.
Ivan August 25, 2014
Its all good but as a researcher that had Hodiaslimphoma (stomach cancer), that reasearch that is needed are as follow: Blood and brain cancer)