Skip to main content

Together we are beating cancer

Donate now

Causes of cancer

Showing 12 out of 1130 results
A radiotherapy machine in a hospital. It is tilted to show how it can move to target tumours.

We know that smoking causes cancer, but research is also showing that it can interfere with treatment. Breast cancer patients who smoke have a higher risk of side effects from radiotherapy. We know that smoking causes cancer, but research is also showing that it can interfere with treatment. Breast cancer patients who smoke have a higher risk of side effects from radiotherapy.

by George Dean | Analysis | 18 October 2024

18 October 2024

Gower and his children looking at an ipad showing a photo of Gower's father

Gower Tan, Ambassador and Campaigns Officer at Cancer Research UK, shares the story of how his father's death from lung cancer helped inspire him to give up smoking Gower Tan, Ambassador and Campaigns Officer at Cancer Research UK, shares the story of how his father's death from lung cancer helped inspire him to give up smoking

by Gower Tan | Opinion | 17 October 2024

17 October 2024

Microscopic image of core biopsy for infiltrating (invasive) ductal carcinoma, detected by screening mammogram

Our researchers have published a paper showing that their alternative BRCA testing pathway, BRCA-DIRECT, could be a more convenient way to test for faulty BRCA genes in people with breast cancer Our researchers have published a paper showing that their alternative BRCA testing pathway, BRCA-DIRECT, could be a more convenient way to test for faulty BRCA genes in people with breast cancer

by Fiona Scott | News | 1 October 2024

1 October 2024

Radiographer looking at a mammogram image

Since the discovery of the BRCA genes 30 years ago, we’ve made huge leaps forward in understanding faulty BRCA-driven cancers – leaps that are saving and improving lives right now​. Since the discovery of the BRCA genes 30 years ago, we’ve made huge leaps forward in understanding faulty BRCA-driven cancers – leaps that are saving and improving lives right now​.

by Amy Warnock | In depth | 1 October 2024

1 October 2024

Sânziana Foia in the lab with an image of Papcup, the new HPV test she has designed for cervical screening, on a laptop.

Sânziana Foia is developing a cervical screening device designed to detect high-risk HPV in menstrual blood within minutes. It could help remove some of the biggest barriers to cervical screening, helping many more eligible people take part.  Sânziana Foia is developing a cervical screening device designed to detect high-risk HPV in menstrual blood within minutes. It could help remove some of the biggest barriers to cervical screening, helping many more eligible people take part. 

by Sadaf Shafaghmotlagh | Analysis | 4 September 2024

4 September 2024

the Palace of Westminster

Today, plans to reintroduce a Bill to progressively raise the age of sale of tobacco products were announced in the first King’s Speech of this new UK Government Today, plans to reintroduce a Bill to progressively raise the age of sale of tobacco products were announced in the first King’s Speech of this new UK Government

by Alizee Froguel | News | 17 July 2024

17 July 2024

Stained cervical cells viewed under the microscope

More than million more women in England could take part in cervical screening over the next three years if they were offered do-it-yourself kits, according to the YouScreen trial. More than million more women in England could take part in cervical screening over the next three years if they were offered do-it-yourself kits, according to the YouScreen trial.

by Sadaf Shafaghmotlagh, Tim Gunn | News | 17 July 2024

17 July 2024

A patient preparing for a breast screening (mammogram) with a healthcare professional

Cancer Research UK have included breast cancer in its analysis of smoking and cancer risk for the first time. Here, we take a closer look at what that means. Cancer Research UK have included breast cancer in its analysis of smoking and cancer risk for the first time. Here, we take a closer look at what that means.

by Karis Betts | Analysis | 9 July 2024

9 July 2024

A stack of cigarettes, one of them smoking

The number of cancer cases caused by smoking in the UK has reached an all-time high of 160 cases every day, new analysis shows The number of cancer cases caused by smoking in the UK has reached an all-time high of 160 cases every day, new analysis shows

by Jacob Smith | News | 9 July 2024

9 July 2024

A young Nepalese girl standing among a group of women

Through the International Cancer Prevention programme, we’re helping to expand access to HPV vaccination for adolescent girls in low and middle income countries, to prevent cervical cancer. Through the International Cancer Prevention programme, we’re helping to expand access to HPV vaccination for adolescent girls in low and middle income countries, to prevent cervical cancer.

by Elle Pearson | News | 24 June 2024

24 June 2024