Cancer and cancer research explained

Multiple cancers
How do targeted therapies treat cancer?

Targeted cancer therapies work in a very different way to most other cancer treatments. But what are they and how exactly do they work? How is our research helping to make targeted therapy a reality for thousands of patients? 

Bowel cancer
I never thought I would be in my thirties and have cancer

When Nick noticed that he had been feeling much more tired than usual, it didn’t even cross his mind that it could be cancer. But then everything changed.

Pancreatic cancer
Why haven't we cured pancreatic cancer yet?

Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that has seen some improvements in survival rates but it continues to be one of the most difficult types of cancer to diagnose and treat. Why is that the case?

Multiple cancers
Cancer stages and grades explained – what they mean and why they matter

Cancer terminology can be complex and confusing. Find out more about cancer staging and grading and what that means, how it's done, and why it's important. 

Multiple cancers
What are incurable cancers?

Discover what incurable cancer means, which cancers are hardest to cure, and how research is offering new hope through life-extending treatments.

General cancer research
Why is cancer research important?

We explore why cancer research matters, how it leads to new treatments and cures, and why funding early stage discoveries is vital for a future when no life is cut short by cancer.

Multiple cancers
How is radiotherapy used to treat cancer?

Radiotherapy is one of the UK’s most commonly used cancer treatments. But what is it, how does it work, and how is research making radiotherapy better, and kinder? 

Multiple cancers
What is chemotherapy?

What is chemotherapy? How does it work, and how is it different to other cancer treatments? Discover how our research is advancing breakthroughs to improve chemotherapy for patients.