Thanks to the generosity of supporters, volunteers, partners and philanthropists, the charity has increased its investment in research and helped drive advances across cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and policy. 

“This year shows what is possible when world-class science, brilliant researchers and the generosity of our supporters come together behind a single mission,” says Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK. 

“We’re seeing extraordinary opportunities emerge across cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, from preventative vaccines to new ways of detecting and diagnosing cancer earlier and developing more effective therapies. 

“We’re also increasing our investment in data, digital and AI to help unlock faster, more accurate ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer.” 

Powering world-leading cancer research 

Cancer Research UK supports more than 6,000 scientists, doctors and nurses across the UK and beyond, funding research across more than 200 types of cancer. 

Over the past year, the charity continued to back ambitious science that could transform how we prevent, diagnose and treat the disease. 

One of the year’s most exciting developments was support for LungVax, the world’s first preventative lung cancer vaccine, which a clinical trial. The charity also supported the development of OvarianVax and LynchVax, two other preventative cancer vaccines that could help stop some cancers before they start. 

Cancer Research UK continued its global leadership in research through Cancer Grand Challenges, the initiative it co-founded with the US National Cancer Institute. This year, five new international teams were funded to tackle some of the toughest unanswered questions in cancer research. 

The charity remained the UK’s largest charitable funder of research into children’s and young people’s cancers. During 2025/26, the charity invested more than £31.5m in research focused on cancers affecting people aged 0 to 24, supporting scientists working to develop kinder, more effective treatments and improve outcomes for children and young people diagnosed with cancer. 

Bringing discoveries closer to patients 

Research has the greatest impact when it reaches the people who need it. Throughout the year, the charity worked to ensure that research was translated into real benefits for people affected by cancer. 

Results from the BRAID trial showed that adding an additional scan to routine mammograms could detect more breast cancers in women with dense breasts. The findings could help improve breast screening programmes and support earlier diagnosis, when treatment is more likely to be successful. 

Through its innovation arm, Cancer Research Horizons, the charity formed nine new spin-out companies in 2025/26, bringing the total to 99. Together, these companies have attracted more than £3.5bn of follow-on investment to help turn scientific discoveries into new treatments and technologies. 

Among them is Trogenix, which raised £70m to develop treatments for cancers that resist existing therapies, beginning with glioblastoma, a fast-growing form of brain tumour. 

The year’s progress extended beyond research. Cancer Research UK’s trusted information services, including About Cancer, Cancer Chat and its nurse helpline, supported millions of people, delivering around 27 million interactions over the course of the year. 

Helping create a smokefree future 

Beating cancer requires more than scientific breakthroughs alone. 

Through its Smokefree UK campaign, Cancer Research UK played a leading role in supporting the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill through parliaments across all four UK nations. 

The legislation received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026, marking a historic step towards a smokefree UK. From 2027, it will become illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. 

It is one of the most significant public health interventions in recent decades. Smoking remains the biggest cause of cancer and premature death in the UK and is responsible for around 160 cancer cases every day. 

The charity also continued to work closely with policymakers to help shape England’s forthcoming National Cancer Plan while pushing for action to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer. 

Investing for the future 

Despite a challenging financial environment, Cancer Research UK continued to invest strongly in research and future growth. 

In 2025/26, the charity spent £416m on new and ongoing research, £13m more than the previous year. In doing so, it surpassed its commitment to invest £1.5bn in research between 2021/22 and 2025/26. 

Total income for the year reached £696m, including fundraising, trading, legacies, philanthropy and investment income. 

Fundraising income was £483m. While this was lower than the previous year, it followed an exceptional period that included unusually large legacy and philanthropic gifts. Legacies remained the charity’s largest single source of income. 

The accounts show a planned deficit, reflecting the charity’s decision to use part of its reserves to increase investment in life-saving research and future growth, helping maximise its long-term impact for people affected by cancer. 

Supporters also continued to back the charity’s More Research, Less Cancer campaign, which has now raised more than £260m towards its £400m target. 

A year of progress, with more to do 

While the charity is proud of the progress made over the past year, it is clear that significant challenges remain. 

Cancer cases continue to rise, and survival in the UK is not improving quickly enough. Too many people still face delays in diagnosis and treatment. 

But Cancer Research UK remains confident that continued investment in research, innovation and policy change will lead to better outcomes for patients. 

The charity is also committed to creating an environment where staff and volunteers can thrive. This year, it was recognised by the Financial Times as the third-best employer in the UK, up from twelfth place last year and the highest-ranked charity on the list. 

Michelle Mitchell says that the charity’s focus will always be on patients and people affected by cancer, “Because every breakthrough brings us closer to a world where more people live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.” 

To find out more, read Cancer Research UK’s 2025/26 Annual Report and Accounts.