Cancer Research UK is the world's leading independent organisation dedicated to cancer research. We fund the work of over 3,000 scientists, doctors and nurses across the UK.

We are committed to understanding the causes of cancer and investigating how best to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease. We also fund research aimed at improving the quality of life for cancer patients, and provide information and support to patients and their families.

Progress so far

Thanks to the efforts of cancer researchers in the UK and worldwide, real progress has been made:

• Survival rates have improved for nearly all cancers, thanks to improved diagnosis and treatment
• 95 per cent of men with testicular cancer are now successfully treated
• Death rates for breast cancer have fallen by a fifth in the last 10 years
• Over 70 per cent of children diagnosed with cancer now survive

But there is still so much more to do.

Our current work

We fund research into all aspects of the disease from laboratory studies through to developing more effective treatments.

For example, up and down the country, our scientists are busy hunting for new cancer genes. We are also testing the next generation of cancer drugs in clinical trials throughout the UK.

We are looking at ways to help patients cope with the side effects of cancer and its treatment, such as depression and insomnia.

We are also investigating the causes of cancer and developing strategies to prevent the disease. For example, our SunSmart campaign aims to raise awareness of the dangers of excess UV exposure, and of effective methods of sun protection.

Visit our News and Resources website for much more information about what we do.

Other ways to support us

There are many ways you can get involved and raise money for Cancer Research UK. We have several events you can take part in or why not volunteer with us?

You can also support our work every time you purchase items from our online gift store or our charity shops.

If your company would like to support us, please visit our corporate partnerships section to find out more.

Whatever you decide to do, your contribution will go towards helping more people survive cancer in the future.

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