Cancer Research UK (CRUK)

Today, on World Cancer Research Day, we're reflecting on the extraordinary progress that cancer research has made possible. Thanks to decades of research, driven by the determination of scientists, clinicians, supporters and patients, more people are surviving cancer than ever before. But we can’t take this progress for granted. Tomorrow's lifesaving breakthroughs depend on the decisions we make today. If we want the UK to remain a global leader in cancer research, we need to create an environment where science can thrive, innovation can move quickly and researchers have the support they need. And that is why we recently launched our new #UnlockCancerBreakthroughs campaign to call for long-term commitment to cancer research and innovation, helping ensure the UK remains at the forefront of discovery and that more people can benefit from future breakthroughs. To find out more about the campaign and join our call to the UK government to remove the barriers holding back research, visit our website: https://cruk.ink/4AtxZ9G #CancerPolicy

You helped campaign for the Tobacco and Vapes Act. Now help shape what happens next. In 100 days' time, we will take another major step towards creating the first-ever smokefree generation in the UK and protecting young people from a lifetime of addiction and disease. From 2027, this historic new legislation will make it illegal in the UK to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. Now we need your help to protect other important measures included within the Act. The UK Government wants to know what members of the public think about how policies relating to the packaging, appearance and display of tobacco, vaping and nicotine products should be implemented and have launched a consultation across all four nations to find out. In the past, the tobacco industry has found loopholes in the law to promote its products and innovated to create new products that work around the law. But there's no safe way to use tobacco and it’s vital that new legislation covers all tobacco products. That’s why we need as many people as possible to respond to the consultation.  By taking part and ticking that you agree with the proposals about plain packaging for all tobacco products, health warnings and pack inserts, you can champion strong regulation on tobacco products that will help protect children and adults from smoking-related harm. The consultation closes on 2 October 2026 - click the link to submit your response today: https://lnkd.in/eKMMk8ZS. #SmokefreeUK #CancerPolicy

New research we're funding could help us understand who is most at risk of developing myeloma 👇 Smouldering myeloma is a little-known blood condition that can progress into incurable myeloma, but not everyone with the condition develops cancer. Researchers at UCL are working to understand why to identify those at highest risk and prevent myeloma in the future. This Blood Cancer Awareness Month, we're highlighting research that could help change the future of myeloma treatment. #CancerResearchUKScience #CancerNews

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Professor Tom Crosby. Tom was dedicated to improving cancer outcomes for people living in Wales and worked tirelessly to do so at Velindre Cancer Centre, and as Cancer Clinical Director for Wales. He was passionate about advancing clinical and research practice in upper gastrointestinal cancers and was co-leader on national audits which shone a light on outcomes for these patients across the UK. Through this work he helped drive improvements in the quality of care for upper gastrointestinal patients, ensuring that data and evidence were translated into meaningful change. Tom led work, alongside colleagues across the UK, highlighting the importance of earlier diagnosis which is now a benchmark for improving cancer outcomes. As a passionate believer in learning from others around the world to improve care at home, Tom played a crucial role in representing Wales in the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership which paved the way for many improvements in Wales, ensuring more people received tests, diagnoses and treatment more quickly. Tom worked with many people across Cancer Research UK over the years and he will be remembered for his dedication, determination and drive to improve cancer outcomes for people living in Wales. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time.

A huge thank you to everyone at Selco Builders Warehouse for raising more than £1 million for our work since 2022. The latest fundraising challenge, Race Across Selco, saw four teams of senior leadership make their way from York to Exeter over three days with just £100 – raising an incredible £61,348 for our work along the way. David Lennon, Commercial Director at Selco, pictured here with his colleagues at the finish line, says: “Cancer Research UK is a charity that means a great deal to everyone at Selco, whether through knowing people who have been affected by cancer or seeing first-hand the incredible work the charity does to improve treatment, support patients and ultimately save lives. That made taking part in Race Across Selco particularly meaningful. “The three-day event was a fantastic experience. It was challenging, but there was a real sense of teamwork throughout, with everyone pushing themselves and supporting each other along the way.” We're incredibly proud to partner with Selco and grateful for everyone’s support in raising funds for our life-saving research.

📢 Two new Cancer Grand Challenges 📢    We're calling on international, multidisciplinary research teams to come together and propose bold, innovative approaches to some of the most complex and pressing challenges in gastroesophageal cancer.    With more than 1 million lives lost to gastric and oesophageal cancers each year globally, the need for bold new solutions has never been greater.    Applications close 24 November.    Discover the new challenges: https://bit.ly/4xfm78b     Winning teams will be funded by the Torrey Coast Foundation and Cancer Research UK (CRUK), through Cancer Grand Challenges.

Our Chair, Lord Simon Stevens, has announced the appointment of three new Trustees to Cancer Research UK, as well as new appointments across our governing Council committees. We're looking forward to welcoming Hans Bishop and Professor Iain McNeish as Trustees from October. Hans has spent more than 30 years working to improve cancer outcomes through entrepreneurship and is also a non-executive director of Cancer Research Horizons, our venture arm. Iain is a leading cancer researcher, clinician and academic at Imperial College London, whose expertise in cancer research and research leadership will help support our mission. He will also serve on our Research and Finance Committee. Sarah Whitney also joined us as a Trustee in May, and will become Chair of our Audit & Risk Committee later this year. Sarah brings extensive experience in governance, finance and risk management across the private, charitable and higher education sectors. And we're pleased that Professor Dr Rene H. Medema, who joined our Council last year, will take on the role of Chair of our Research Committee in October. We'd like to thank Joanne Shaw and Professor Nic Jones for their leadership of the Audit & Risk Committee and Research Committee respectively, and we look forward to working with Sarah, Iain, Hans and René in their new roles.

Men in England with some forms of early-stage prostate cancer can now get effective radiotherapy in five sessions, rather than 20. Our PACE B trial showed that pinpoint SABR radiotherapy can remove many small prostate cancers much faster than the standard treatment, without increasing side effects. More than 95% of men treated with SABR showed no signs of cancer five years later. Based on those results, NHS England is now rolling out SABR for men with early-stage prostate cancer that has a low risk of spreading. Find out how SABR works and who can benefit in our article 👇

Hot drinks and cancer risk: here's what the latest research has found ☕ Funded by us and led by researchers at the University of Oxford, the study found that people who reported drinking beverages when they were ‘very hot’ had around three times the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, compared with those who drank them ‘warm’. The largest study of its kind in the UK, it explored the connection between hot drinks and oesophageal cancer risk, with researchers studying data of around 980,000 adults. In the UK, the risk of developing this type of cancer is relatively low, and more research is needed to understand exactly how the temperature of drinks may affect our risk. The most important proven ways to reduce the risk of this type of oesophageal cancer are not smoking and cutting down on alcohol. But, if you're worried about the findings, you may prefer to let your cuppa cool a little before taking a sip ☕ #CancerResearchUKScience #CancerNews