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Our research strategy

Making discoveries. Driving progress. Bringing hope.  

Our work has revolutionised what we know about cancer and how we can beat it. 

Our research strategy builds on what's already been achieved and sets out how we'll work with our world-class research community towards a better future. 

Read our research strategy

We're at a turning point 

Our strategy puts discovery research and excellence at the heart of what we'll do to understand the mechanisms of how cancer develops and progresses. 

It's built around four objectives – to discover, detect, prevent, and treat – so that progress in understanding the fundamental biology of cancer leads to new prevention measures, tests and treatments. 

To achieve this, we will spend £1.5bn between 2022 and 2027, investing in creative people and transformational research. We will support research to reduce cancer inequalities and improve outcomes for everyone. And we’ll involve people affected by cancer in our work. 

Explore our commitment to patient and public involvement

A photo of Iain Foulkes, Executive Director of Research & Innovation at Cancer Research UK.

We know that it’s unlikely there will ever be a single cure for cancer, but we also know that it can be beaten, and that research holds the key.

- Iain Foulkes, Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK

Our research priorities

A scientist in the lab looking down at some test tubes. They're wearing glasses, a lab coat and purple gloves.

Discovery

Our discovery research portfolio provides fundamental insight into the mechanisms by which cancer develops, progresses and responds to treatment.

Researcher working in the lab.

Early detection and diagnosis

We’re advancing transformative cancer outcomes through research focussed on early detection of cancer and pre-cancerous changes, underlying biology of cancers, cancer emergence and progression.

Stock image of a woman getting a vaccine.

Prevention and population

We support a wide range of prevention and population research aimed at understanding the epidemiology of cancer, cancer risk, incidence and survival and preventative interventions.

A team of doctors reviewing a patient's medical file.

Clinical

Our robust portfolio of clinical studies spans the clinical pipeline, including early phase and first-in-human trials, ambitious and innovative trial design, and clinical infrastructure.

Researchers in a lab looking at a computer screen.

Research data

We aim to leverage the enormous potential of data science and advanced analytics by creating a research culture and community supporting timely, transparent and ethical curation and use of data in cancer research. 

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Cancers of unmet need

We’re building strong, sustainable research communities in notoriously hard-to-treat cancers such as brain, lung, oesophagus, pancreas, liver and stomach, and can support you as you move into this field.

Learn more about our work

Organisation strategy

Our strategy renews our focus on making discoveries, driving progress, bringing hope - leading us to a world where everybody can lead longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.

Prior research strategy

In 2014 we outlined our approach to accelerate progress in priority areas including early detection, translation, and developing world-class cancer researchers.

Join our research community

We have a range of opportunities, suitable for wherever you are in your career, whether you're new to the lab or growing your research group.