Skip to main content

Together we are beating cancer

Donate now

Cancer News

The latest news, analysis and opinion from Cancer Research UK

20th anniversary

This year marks 20 years since Cancer Research UK was formed. However, our history goes back much further, to 1902, with the founding of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund.

From proving the link between smoking and cancer to laying the foundations for modern radiotherapy – our scientists have been at the forefront of cancer research for 120 years. To see more of our research highlights, visit our achievements timeline and our milestones series.

Showing 12 out of 25 results

This episode features CRUK Chairman, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz. Following a distinguished academic and clinical research career, Leszek’s roles have included Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council and Vice Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. He talks about the development of the HPV vaccine, the difficulties of navigating a research career and why we must start to embrace failure… even a negative result, he says, is positive. This episode features CRUK Chairman, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz. Following a distinguished academic and clinical research career, Leszek’s roles have included Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council and Vice Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. He talks about the development of the HPV vaccine, the difficulties of navigating a research career and why we must start to embrace failure… even a negative result, he says, is positive.

by Phil Prime | Podcast | 20 July 2022

20 July 2022

This entry is part 4 of 9 in the series Cancer Research Matters - series 1

This is the story of time. Of minutes and days which turn into months and years. The story of our 33,000 time-givers. This is the story of time. Of minutes and days which turn into months and years. The story of our 33,000 time-givers.

by Laura Berry | In depth | 11 July 2022

11 July 2022

A photograph of Big Ben at night

From restricting sunbed use for under 18s, to banning smoking at work and in public places, here are 4 ways we’ve influenced cancer policy and made real change. From restricting sunbed use for under 18s, to banning smoking at work and in public places, here are 4 ways we’ve influenced cancer policy and made real change.

by Lilly Matson | In depth | 6 July 2022

6 July 2022

That Cancer Conversation in a white speech bubble with a dark blue background

This latest episode features 3 guests who explore why the idea of a cancer cure is so complex, but why there is still so much to be hopeful about. This latest episode features 3 guests who explore why the idea of a cancer cure is so complex, but why there is still so much to be hopeful about.

by Cancer Research UK | Podcast | 14 June 2022

14 June 2022

This entry is part 5 of 21 in the series That Cancer Conversation

The episode features Steve Jackson. Steve is the University of Cambridge Frederick James Quick Professor of Biology. He is also Head of Cancer Research UK Laboratories at the Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute. He talks about the difference between academic and commercial science, tips for forming a spinout company and what we should aim for in the next 20 years of cancer research. The episode features Steve Jackson. Steve is the University of Cambridge Frederick James Quick Professor of Biology. He is also Head of Cancer Research UK Laboratories at the Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute. He talks about the difference between academic and commercial science, tips for forming a spinout company and what we should aim for in the next 20 years of cancer research.

by Phil Prime | Podcast | 23 March 2022

23 March 2022

This entry is part 2 of 9 in the series Cancer Research Matters - series 1

Forty years ago, hints of a new component of the immune system caused a stir. Here, we chart the story of gamma delta T cells from discovery to clinical trials... Forty years ago, hints of a new component of the immune system caused a stir. Here, we chart the story of gamma delta T cells from discovery to clinical trials...

by Cancer Research UK | In depth | 18 March 2022

18 March 2022

Some pipettes in a lab

We are launching a new strategy to help us make new discoveries and bring about a world where everyone lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. We are launching a new strategy to help us make new discoveries and bring about a world where everyone lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.

by Michelle Mitchell | Opinion | 17 March 2022

17 March 2022

A photograph of a lab at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in the 1960's.
  • Science & Technology
  • Health & Medicine

Diving into our role in 50 top cancer drugs

To mark 20 years since the merger of the Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, we’ve delved into the research of the charities' that led to many of the drugs in use today. To mark 20 years since the merger of the Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, we’ve delved into the research of the charities' that led to many of the drugs in use today.

by Catherine Pickworth | In depth | 9 February 2022

9 February 2022

The first episode features Ruth Plummer. Ruth is Professor of Experimental Cancer Medicine at Newcastle University and Director of the CRUK Newcastle Cancer Centre. She talks about how the DNA repair inhibition field has changed over 20 years, her instrumental role in the development of the PARP inhibitor Rucaparib and why work/life balance is so important for the future of research life. The first episode features Ruth Plummer. Ruth is Professor of Experimental Cancer Medicine at Newcastle University and Director of the CRUK Newcastle Cancer Centre. She talks about how the DNA repair inhibition field has changed over 20 years, her instrumental role in the development of the PARP inhibitor Rucaparib and why work/life balance is so important for the future of research life.

by Phil Prime | Podcast | 4 February 2022

4 February 2022

This entry is part 1 of 9 in the series Cancer Research Matters - series 1

Chief clinician Charlie Swanton gives some of his personal reflections on how far research has come and why sustained investment is so important for the therapies of the future. Chief clinician Charlie Swanton gives some of his personal reflections on how far research has come and why sustained investment is so important for the therapies of the future.

by Charles Swanton | Analysis | 4 February 2022

4 February 2022

Chief scientist Karen Vousden, contemplates the advances coming from cell biology and genomics and why the new frontiers of cancer research require a systems biology approach. Chief scientist Karen Vousden, contemplates the advances coming from cell biology and genomics and why the new frontiers of cancer research require a systems biology approach.

by Cancer Research UK | Analysis | 4 February 2022

4 February 2022

Computational analysis of cancer

From a legacy of life-saving medicines to developing new tools to detect cancer, our scientists have been at the forefront of cancer research for 120 years. From a legacy of life-saving medicines to developing new tools to detect cancer, our scientists have been at the forefront of cancer research for 120 years.

by Katie Roberts | Analysis | 2 February 2022

2 February 2022