About Cancer Research UK's patient and health information
We have information about:
what cancer is
the differences between cancer cells and normal cells
how cancer starts and spreads
This can be especially useful for school projects.
We have information about most types of cancer. Each section is divided up into sections to help guide people through the information. It is all written in plain English, evidence based and dated. Most of our pages have a list of references at the bottom of the page. For each cancer type we have information about:
what the cancer is and where it starts
risks and causes
symptoms
getting diagnosed – tests, seeing the GP, seeing a specialist
stages and types
survival
treatment
living with cancer
research and clinical trials
Find out about types of cancer
We also have a database of clinical trials in the UK. It covers:
trials that are currently open and recruiting patients in the UK
trials that have now closed to recruitment and are in follow up
trials that have reported results
We started the trials database in 2000 so it does not cover any trials that closed earlier than that.
Information about clinical trials
There is information about cancer and treatment in our general cancer information section. It includes:
cancer tests
treatment – the different types of cancer treatment including explanations of what they are and how you have them
signs and symptoms – general information
Around 4 in 10 cancers could be prevented, largely through lifestyle changes. We have information about the causes as well as what people can do to lower their risk of developing their risk.
Find out more about causes and prevention
We have a section for health professionals. This includes information about statistics, national guidelines and much more.
Information for health professionals
We have detailed information about the research we are doing. And you can read about our research strategy.
Find out more about our research
Check whether your school, college or university has a library and access to any subscriptions and databases. There are different websites you can use to search for published literature. Examples include:
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) produce evidence based guidance and Clinical Knowledge Summaries.
You can read more generally about the charity.
Last reviewed: 18 Dec 2024
Next review due: 18 Dec 2025
Cancer is the name given to a collection of related diseases. Cancer starts when cells change abnormally.
Find out about possible causes of cancer, how cancer starts and grows, tests to diagnose it, and general information about treatments.
Find the latest statistics, learning and development tools, and information on early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer.
Clinical trials aim to find out if a new treatment or procedure is safe, is better than the current treatment or helps you feel better. Use our database to find a clinical trial in the UK.
Learn more about the science and the researchers Cancer Research UK supports. Search our discoveries by cancer type and cancer topic.
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK.
Meet and chat to other cancer people affected by cancer.
Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
