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Cancer News

Personal Stories

Hear stories and experiences directly from people affected by cancer and their families
Showing 12 out of 107 results
Smokefree UK supporter Sue and her family on a day out.

Now the Tobacco and Vapes Act has passed, we’re bringing together some of the stories behind our Smokefree UK campaign. Now the Tobacco and Vapes Act has passed, we’re bringing together some of the stories behind our Smokefree UK campaign.

by Cancer Research UK | Personal stories | 1 May 2026

1 May 2026

A composite image. On the left, a teenage girl standing outside a school holding a paper with her exam results. On the right, a young man is sat in a sunny garden smiling at the camera. He is wearing glasses, a black baseball cap, a teal t-shirt and a gold watch.
  • Science & Technology
  • Personal Stories

The young people powering the future of cancer research

By contributing to the VIVO Biobank, teenagers and young adults like Cory and Aleesha-Marie are powering lifechanging discoveries. By contributing to the VIVO Biobank, teenagers and young adults like Cory and Aleesha-Marie are powering lifechanging discoveries.

by Khrisha Gajparia, Tim Gunn | In depth, Personal stories | 15 April 2026

15 April 2026

A man putting up a picture of two men in suits.
  • Science & Technology
  • Personal Stories

A lasting legacy after melanoma: Mark’s story

When Dave Sims’s brother Mark was diagnosed with terminal melanoma, our study helped him leave a lasting legacy. When Dave Sims’s brother Mark was diagnosed with terminal melanoma, our study helped him leave a lasting legacy.

by Helen Renshaw | Personal stories | 25 September 2025

25 September 2025

A composite image showing two children and one young person during their cancer treatment. On the left, three-year-old Max is sat on his hospital bed smiling. He is dressed in Paw Patrol trousers and a hospital gown with a cartoon alphabet design. In the centre, another toddler, Callum is stood in a hospital corridor dressed as a Christmas elf. He has a tube into his nose to provide extra oxygen. He is smiling broadly. On the right, 15-year old Nalia is sleeping in her hospital bed. Her younger brother Ellis is curled up next to her.

To mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2025, three parents told us how their children were diagnosed with cancer, and what happened next. To mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2025, three parents told us how their children were diagnosed with cancer, and what happened next.

by Tom Bourton, Tim Gunn | Personal stories | 1 September 2025

1 September 2025

A composite image showing Alfred, Ali and Lucy, who shared their stories to help show what's needed from the National Cancer Plan.

These four stories of people affected by cancer help show exactly what England needs from the UK Government's National Cancer Plan. These four stories of people affected by cancer help show exactly what England needs from the UK Government's National Cancer Plan.

by Amal Iman, Tom Bourton | Personal stories | 4 August 2025

4 August 2025

This entry is part 30 of 37 in the series That Cancer Conversation
This entry is part 29 of 37 in the series That Cancer Conversation
Pictures of Taylor, Zaid and Eilidh in hospital during their cancer treatment.

Four teenagers and young adults tell us what it's like to receive a lifechanging cancer diagnosis while your life is still taking shape. Four teenagers and young adults tell us what it's like to receive a lifechanging cancer diagnosis while your life is still taking shape.

by Tom Bourton, Tim Gunn | Personal stories | 4 April 2025

4 April 2025