Temozolomide is used worldwide to treat people with the most common type of brain tumour.
Our scientists discover the APC gene
Our scientists track down the location of the bowel cancer gene APC, meaning that families affected by hereditary bowel cancer can be offered life-saving screening and prevention.
BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes identified
Our researchers play a pivotal role in discovering BRCA1 and BRCA2, genes linked to hereditary breast, ovarian and prostate cancers, creating options for people to reduce their risk of breast cancer.
Abiraterone is developed to treat prostate cancer
Abiraterone is a drug that could improve the life expectancy of thousands of men in the UK with prostate cancer.
HPV identified as the cause of most cervical cancers
We teamed up with others to show that the human papillomavirus (HPV) causes most cervical cancers worldwide. We also support pioneering studies, paving the way for the HPV vaccine.
Cancer Research UK is born
The Imperial Cancer Research Fund and The Cancer Research Campaign unite to form Cancer Research UK.
Adding chemotherapy improves survival for most common childhood brain tumour
We fund a clinical trial showing that adding chemotherapy to radiotherapy can help improve survival from medulloblastoma, the most common brain tumour in children.
Smoke-free legislation rolled out in the UK
Thousands of our supporters campaign for smoke-free legislation, which comes into effect in the UK in 2007 – a move that will prevent thousands of premature deaths.
Trials began for PARP inhibitor drugs for breast and ovarian cancer
In 2008 we launched the first UK trial of PARP inhibitor drugs, designed to target breast and ovarian cancer in women who have inherited a faulty BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.
New bowel cancer screening trial successful
Working with our partners, we complete a major trial of a new bowel cancer screening test known as bowel scope. The test could save thousands of lives, and is now being rolled out nationwide.
Our scientists discover that breast cancer is 10 separate diseases
Our scientists make headlines around the world with the discovery that breast cancer is 10 separate diseases, rewriting the rulebook on our understanding of the condition.
We discover bladder cancer recurrence can be halved by combining chemo and radiotherapy
A major trial funded by Cancer Research UK shows that adding chemo to radiotherapy can halve the risk of bladder cancer returning after treatment, changing the way patients are treated.
Two groundbreaking clinical trials into lung cancer and neuroblastoma launched
We launch the revolutionary TRACERx study, tracking how lung cancers evolve within the body, as well as a groundbreaking new clinical trial for children with neuroblastoma.
New oesophageal cancer detection options trialled
We complete our clinical trial of Cytosponge, a simple sponge-on-a-string test. It's just as good as more invasive endoscopy procedures in detecting people at higher risk from oesophageal cancer.
Death rates for major cancers fall by a third
In 2014 we announce that death rates for breast, bowel, lung and prostate cancer combined have fallen by almost a third in the last 20 years.
Opening of the Francis Crick Institute
The best scientific minds from 6 organisations, including Cancer Research UK, are coming together to create a groundbreaking institute for biomedical research.
We won't stop until everyone who is diagnosed with cancer survives.
In the 70s 1 in 4 people diagnosed with cancer survived for 10 years or more. Today it’s 2 in 4. This is good, but not enough. Our ambition is to see 3 in 4 people survive within 20 years.
Legacy gifts make up more than a third of Cancer Research UK’s funding, and play a significant part in our ground-breaking advances. These gifts make long-term research and pioneering trials possible, leading to new tests, kinder treatments and cures which will help us beat cancer sooner.
Over a third of our research is funded by gifts left to us in Wills by our supporters. By leaving a gift to Cancer Research UK in your Will, you can play your part in creating a future free from the fear of cancer too. Whatever you can leave, your gift will help us beat cancer.
"I’ve attended a Lab Tour and I was so fascinated to see thescience behind Cancer Research UK’s progress that has thepotential to save millions of lives. It really makes you thinkabout the possibilities that technology and science bringand how much hope it gives for future generations."