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Early detection

Showing 12 out of 278 results
Cells and DNA in blood
  • Science & Technology
  • Health & Medicine

What are liquid biopsies?

There’s a treasure trove of information in our blood, urine and saliva. We're using it to find and understand cancer. There’s a treasure trove of information in our blood, urine and saliva. We're using it to find and understand cancer.

by Emily Farthing | In depth | 13 November 2025

13 November 2025

Squamous epithelial cells of human cervix under the microscope view.
  • Health & Medicine
  • Science & Technology

70 years of progress in cervical cancer research

25 years ago, our scientists showed that nearly all cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). But that’s not where our story with cervical cancer research starts, and it certainly isn’t where it ends. 25 years ago, our scientists showed that nearly all cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). But that’s not where our story with cervical cancer research starts, and it certainly isn’t where it ends.

by Jacob Smith | In depth | 13 November 2025

13 November 2025

A woman reading a cancer information limit while waiting to see the doctor.

Early cancer diagnosis is critical to saving more lives. We've set out a new approach for the government to commit to in the National Cancer Plan to achieve this. Early cancer diagnosis is critical to saving more lives. We've set out a new approach for the government to commit to in the National Cancer Plan to achieve this.

by Cancer Research UK | In depth | 15 October 2025

15 October 2025

A microscopic image of a blood clot. There are many red blood cells and a single white blood cell held together in a meshwork of brown fibrin.

Our researchers have uncovered that platelets can hoover up cancer DNA, which suggests we could use them to detect cancers earlier. Our researchers have uncovered that platelets can hoover up cancer DNA, which suggests we could use them to detect cancers earlier.

by Amal Iman, Tim Gunn | Analysis | 14 August 2025

14 August 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

A corridor of computer servers

To get the most out of data-driven programmes we need to see some changes in the UK’s health data infrastructure. Here we explore what those changes need to be, and how programmes like CD3 can align with government’s priorities.  To get the most out of data-driven programmes we need to see some changes in the UK’s health data infrastructure. Here we explore what those changes need to be, and how programmes like CD3 can align with government’s priorities. 

by Ben Jones | Analysis | 19 March 2025

19 March 2025

A pattern of pink poo icons on a turquoise background.
  • Health & Medicine

Let's talk about poo

Talking about poo can save lives from bowel cancer. Here are our top poo facts to get the conversation going. Talking about poo can save lives from bowel cancer. Here are our top poo facts to get the conversation going.

by Julia Cotterill | In depth | 24 February 2025

24 February 2025

This entry is part 3 of 4 in the series Multi-cancer tests
Lab-grown bowel cancer cells seen through a microscope. They are colour-enhanced and appear blue.

A new testing technique with genome sequencing is 90% accurate at predicting which high-risk people with IBD will develop bowel cancer, according to a study by our scientists.  A new testing technique with genome sequencing is 90% accurate at predicting which high-risk people with IBD will develop bowel cancer, according to a study by our scientists. 

by Tim Gunn | News | 30 January 2025

30 January 2025

Data centre filled with rows of servers

Today, Cancer Research UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) are announcing £10 million to create the Cancer Data-Driven Detection programme, which aims to use data to identify individual cancer risk. Today, Cancer Research UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) are announcing £10 million to create the Cancer Data-Driven Detection programme, which aims to use data to identify individual cancer risk.

by Amy Warnock, Graeme Sneddon | News | 22 January 2025

22 January 2025

A man in a bathroom opening a bowel cancer screening test kit (FIT kit) from NHS England.

NHS England's bowel cancer screening is expanding to 50 and 52-year-olds. Everyone 50 to 74 will now receive a FIT kit every two years. NHS England's bowel cancer screening is expanding to 50 and 52-year-olds. Everyone 50 to 74 will now receive a FIT kit every two years.

by Tim Gunn | News | 14 January 2025

14 January 2025