Cancer Grand Challenges

• Science & Technology

Tracing the toxic fingerprint of a bacterium in our gut 

Our Grand Challenge scientists have discovered that a common type of bacteria found in our guts could contribute to bowel cancer. Our Grand Challenge scientists have discovered that a common type of bacteria found in our guts could contribute to bowel cancer.

27 February 2020

• Science & Technology

Why do certain faulty genes only cause cancer in some parts of the body?

Our international team of scientists are tackling a fundamental question about how cancer develops: why do some gene faults only cause cancer in certain organs? Our international team of scientists are tackling a fundamental question about how cancer develops: why do some gene faults only cause cancer in certain organs?

10 April 2019

• Science & Technology

Inflammation and cancer: unravelling a 150-year-old mystery

Inflammation can prevent infections and helps repair injuries. But for people with long-term inflammatory conditions, it can sometimes lead to cancer. Inflammation can prevent infections and helps repair injuries. But for people with long-term inflammatory conditions, it can sometimes lead to cancer.

28 March 2019

• Health & Medicine
• Science & Technology

Could the bacteria in our gut help treat cancer?

Gut bacteria may help some bowel cancers grow. Our Grand Challenge scientists want to see if tinkering with these tiny communities could be a new way to treat cancer. Gut bacteria may help some bowel cancers grow. Our Grand Challenge scientists want to see if tinkering with these tiny communities could be a new way to treat cancer.

21 March 2019

• Science & Technology

Stitching together a ‘Google Earth’ for cancer

Our scientists at the National Physical Laboratory are using their expertise in measurement to draw a new map of cancer. Our scientists at the National Physical Laboratory are using their expertise in measurement to draw a new map of cancer.

14 February 2019

• Science & Technology

Meet the scientists taking on 3 of the biggest challenges in cancer research

Three new teams funded through our Grand Challenge are about to embark on research projects focusing on the microbiome, faulty genes and chronic inflammation. Three new teams funded through our Grand Challenge are about to embark on research projects focusing on the microbiome, faulty genes and chronic inflammation.

23 January 2019

• Health & Medicine
• Science & Technology

8 new challenges between us and beating cancer

We launch phase 2 of our Grand Challenge with 8 of the biggest questions in cancer research. We launch phase 2 of our Grand Challenge with 8 of the biggest questions in cancer research.

22 June 2017

• Science & Technology
• Health & Medicine

Preventing unnecessary breast cancer treatment

Our scientists want to help doctors give women with DCIS a definitive answer on their individual risk of developing breast cancer. So they know, once and for all, if treatment is necessary. Our scientists want to help doctors give women with DCIS a definitive answer on their individual risk of developing breast cancer. So they know, once and for all, if treatment is necessary.

24 May 2017

• Science & Technology

This could be the future of how doctors view cancer

Step inside a virtual world where our Grand Challenge scientists are hoping to redefine the way we look at cancer. Step inside a virtual world where our Grand Challenge scientists are hoping to redefine the way we look at cancer.

2 May 2017

• Health & Medicine
• Science & Technology

Discovering unknown causes of cancer through ‘fingerprints’ in DNA

A team of scientists are aiming to improve our understanding of what causes cancer, potentially preventing more cases in the future. A team of scientists are aiming to improve our understanding of what causes cancer, potentially preventing more cases in the future.

18 April 2017

• Science & Technology

‘Google Earth’ for tumours could change cancer diagnostics and drug testing forever

Combining new ways to measure molecules could lead to the most accurate picture of tumours ever created. We explore the science behind the approach. Combining new ways to measure molecules could lead to the most accurate picture of tumours ever created. We explore the science behind the approach.

7 March 2017

• Science & Technology
• Health & Medicine

3 of the toughest questions in cancer and more than £70 million to solve them

We're announcing the first winners of our most ambitious science funding awarding ever: The Grand Challenge We're announcing the first winners of our most ambitious science funding awarding ever: The Grand Challenge

10 February 2017