What is discovery research?
Discovery research is the critical first stage of the research journey, creating a pipeline for future breakthroughs. By funding it, we can transform our understanding of how cancer works, start new cures and ultimately, reach a day when no life is cut short by cancer.
Cutting-edge science gives us hope.
Worldwide Cancer Research exclusively funds discovery research, the first step in the research journey, where scientists seek to uncover something new about the nature of cancer. Because we cannot cure what we don't understand.
Unfortunately, many funders have moved away from supporting discovery research in recent years, preferring projects with nearer-term impact.
In fact, there has been a 25% decline in funding for discovery research globally since 2006, even though it is a critical first step in the research journey. Every year, we have to turn down progressive ideas from the world’s brightest scientists, because we simply cannot fund them all. We are losing potential cures.
That is why we have committed to support discovery research, as it is one of the best ways to achieve significant shifts in our understanding of cancer. We seek radical ideas and encourage scientists to ask big questions that could break new ground. By taking intellectual risks and exploring bold new concepts, we gather progressive and sometimes unexpected findings that could stop lives being cut short.
Curestarters support Worldwide Cancer Research because they know that it may take years to turn early ideas into outcomes, but that the most transformative advances often come from unexpected places.
The cancer research journey:
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Stage 1Discovery research
The very first step in the research journey, also referred to as basic, or fundamental research.
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Stage 2Translational research
Turning the discovery research into something practical, like a new drug, test, or treatment.
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Stage 3Clinical research
Testing that new drug, test, or treatment on people to confirm whether it is safe and effective.
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Discovery research is crucial if we want to reach a day when no life is cut short by cancer. Do you agree?
Discovery research provides us with information on how cancer works, and therefore helps us to design clever ways to cure it.
Cancer is a global issue
Why fund cancer research worldwide?
Worldwide Cancer Research funds innovative research anywhere in the world, because we know the best ideas in cancer research can come from anywhere.
Starting new cures for all cancers
Why do we fund research into any cancer?
Cancer is not just one disease. In fact, there are more than 200 distinct types of cancer - and all of them need new cures.
Help scientists discover new cures
Curestarters help us fund more cutting-edge discovery research today, so we can bring forward breakthroughs and be ready to face the cancer challenges of tomorrow.