Cancer Research UK (CRUK)

That Cancer Conversation is back! 🎙 Our podcast brings together the science and stories behind cancer for a third series, and episode one is available now! In Episode One Sophie and Dr Heather Shaw, a skin cancer clinician and researcher at UCL, deep dive into all things cancer vaccines 🔬 Listen to That Cancer Conversation on YouTube, Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts 🎧 #ThatCancerConversation #Podcast #Health #UCL

Teenage Cancer Trust Lead Nurse Karen and Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Senior Research Nurse Ben hosted a visit for Chi Onwurah MP at our unit at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle today. Chi heard about the collaborative TYAR.org website they created alongside young people looking to increase young people's participation in cancer clinical trials. She also toured the unit, meeting with some amazing young people to chat about their experiences and the impact of Teenage Cancer Trust.

We’re thrilled to announce an 18-month research project, commissioned to a team from the University of Cambridge and UCL, led by Professor Nora Pashayan. The team will be delving into the evidence to better understand which types of cancer do or don't progress. By deepening our understanding of cancer progression, this work will support more informed discussions with policymakers, academics and clinicians, improving early diagnosis while minimising overdiagnosis. A role within the Cambridge team is available (deadline 24 March) - please share with your connections: bit.ly/4haPsZr Together we can make a real difference to the future of cancer diagnosis and treatment. #CancerResearch #ResearchJobs #ResearchCareers #InnovationInHealth

After her own cervical screening, PhD student Sânziana Foia wondered if there was an easier way to test for HPV using period blood. She then created Papcup, a self-testing device that helps people check for HPV at home. Papcup uses sensors to detect HPV in menstrual blood from a pad, tampon or menstrual cup. “It’s the most non-invasive approach I could think of for collecting a sample,” Sânziana explains. With support from Cancer Research Horizons, Sânziana is working on the first prototype of Papcup. While more research is needed, this could make cervical screening easier and more accessible for many people. We are committed to ensuring more women pursue and advance in their science careers with better support and fair opportunities for everyone. #InternationalWomensDay #WomenInScience

Professor Christine Harrison is a true hero in children's cancer research 🌟 She’s been working for years to make treatments better for children with leukaemia, and her research has helped save lives. Christine helped create an important database in 1988 that tracks genetic info for leukaemia patients — now it has data from over 35,000 children. Thanks to her work with chromosome mapping, doctors can better understand and treat leukaemia. She’s currently looking into how missing or extra chromosomes cause children's cancer with our funding — your donations. Christine is also a passionate advocate for women in science, mentoring the next generation of leaders as a trustee of Blood Cancer UK. In recognition of her 40 years of work, she was honoured with an OBE in the 2025 New Year’s Honours. Her advice to young women in science? “Persevere and follow your dreams.” #InternationalWomensDay #WomenInScience #CancerResearch

While the number of women in science is growing, they are still underrepresented in the most senior roles. Dr. Lian Ni Lee wants to shine a light on this issue — and inspire more girls to get into science. Dr. Lian Ni co-founded a project to create cancer vaccines and says she was lucky to be mentored by women scientists: “Their experiences really managed my expectations and normalised the idea that I could have a successful career and a good work–life balance." Dr. Lian Ni believes that great scientists can look like anyone: “For example, the harassed-looking mother dropping off her kids at the school gate is also the founder of a machine-learning AI start-up." She hopes one day, we won't need a special day to celebrate women in science because it will just be normal. She said, “We must amplify the visibility of women role models in science and entrepreneurship while actively addressing implicit bias in hiring, promotions, and funding decisions." We are committed to ensuring more women pursue and advance in their science careers with better support and fair opportunities for everyone. #InternationalWomensDay #WomenInScience

We're happy to announce that our annual #TurnTheTables event raised almost £200k earlier this week — and still counting! Turn The Tables involves willing politicians ‘turning the tables’ and interviewing even more willing journalists. In the hot seat this year were Victoria Derbyshire and Krishnan Guru-Murthy, interviewed by David Lammy MP and Dame Priti Patel respectively. The money raised by this event will support our life-saving cancer research. Thanks to all those who helped make the event a success – together we are beating cancer.

Just announced! Seven new Cancer Grand Challenges – with awards of up to £20m – will be made available for research teams around the world to tackle the biggest questions in cancer research. Read more below.

Imagine if there was a non-invasive test your GP could offer to test if your symptoms could be caused by cancer and where in your body it might be? 💉 In the latest entry of our multi-cancer tests series, we explore what Multi-cancer tests (MCTs) could do for primary care, from helping GPs interpret vague symptoms to reducing the number of people sent for unnecessary extra testing. So far, research has shown that MCTs could help GPs decide whether or not people with potential cancer symptoms need to be referred for specialist investigations. Better diagnostic tests can lead to earlier diagnosis which improves patient outcomes by allowing treatment to start sooner. It's an exciting time, but further research is required before MCTs could be rolled out in primary care. Find out everything you need to know 👇 #CancerNews #CancerResearch

We're really pleased to have placed 12th in the Financial Times’ inaugural list of the UK's best employers for 2025! In a survey of over 20,000 employees from all sectors, Cancer Research UK ranked 12th in a list of 500 companies. Workers were polled on areas such as working conditions, potential for development and company image. Our CEO, Michelle Mitchell, said: “Our people are at the heart of everything we do and being recognised by the Financial Times as one of the UK’s Best Employers is an honour and a reflection of our talented and dedicated team. Employees have a positive experience working with us and make a life changing impact on the lives of people affected by cancer.” Read the article here: https://cruk.ink/3ERHwPi