Over its 120-year heritage, the charity has driven landmark advances—such as linking smoking to lung cancer, refining chemotherapy regimens, and developing targeted therapies—that have significantly improved survival rates.

Guided by a manifesto with five missions—rebuild the UK’s global research leadership; prevent more cancer cases; diagnose earlier; improve treatment; and involve those affected by cancer—Cancer Research UK shapes policy and practice.

As the world’s largest independent funder of cancer research, it invests over £400 million each year in projects spanning basic biology, translational science, and clinical trials to drive lifesaving progress globally.

The charity’s extensive network of researchers conducts cutting-edge studies in laboratories and clinical settings, translating breakthroughs into improved prevention strategies, earlier diagnoses, and innovative treatments.

Registered in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247), and as a company limited by guarantee (4325234 and 5713F), Cancer Research UK operates under robust legal and governance frameworks.

Formed in February 2002 by merging the Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, the charity traces its history back to 1902 with the founding of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, marking more than a century of pioneering discoveries.

Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading independent cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research, influence and information, supporting work across prevention, diagnosis and treatment by over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.