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Patient stories about cancer biology

Stories from patients about cancer biology research

Helping more people survive cancer is the aim of everything we do. Read stories from people who have experienced the importance of research into cancer biology, and how this research has made a difference to them.

Patient's stories

A picture of Dave with a picture of his twin brother Mark and him in the background.

Donating to PEACE

Dave lost his twin brother Mark to melanoma in January 2017. Before his death, Mark signed up to join the PEACE study: “Mark was a doctor, and the study gave him another opportunity to help people. He wanted to do as much as he possibly could to make sure that, in 20 years’ time, another Mark Sims doesn’t have to go through the same thing that he did.”

Read more about Dave's story

Profile picture of Gillian.

Carrying a faulty BRCA1 gene

Gillian from Sussex, has had both breast and ovarian cancer caused by inherited faults in the BRCA1 gene. Cancer Research UK helped to identify the BRCA genes and their role in cancer. “It’s taken me several years to recover from the surgery and treatment but now I’m feeling better than ever. I get regular checks and at some point I may need to have preventative surgery because of my breast cancer risk, but I’m putting that off for as long as I can.”

Read about how research is targeting faulty BRCA genes

Jennifer, free from lung cancer since December 2013, smiling next to a Christmas tree.

Having cisplatin

Jennifer from Northern Ireland was diagnosed with lung cancer after having a follow-up scan for pneumonia. She had surgery and a drug called cisplatin, which Cancer Research UK scientists helped to develop. “Life has been better since I was told in December 2013 that I was cancer-free. Now the future looks bright, and I feel extremely lucky to have been given a second chance at life. There really is hope after cancer.”

Learn more about the story of cisplatin

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Current research

By studying the biology of cancer in the lab, our researchers are working hard to ensure more people survive cancer.

Find out more about our current research

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Past research

Thanks to research, we’ve helped change the outlook for people with cancer.

Find out more about past research

Explore our timeline of cancer research

Further information

Want to find more information about our research or cancer biology?

Find out more about clinical trials

More news about cancer biology research on Cancer News