There are hundreds of cancer charities in the UK, so what is it that makes Worldwide Cancer Research different? Why should you choose to support us? We explain what it means for us to be the only UK charity focused solely on funding discovery research, anywhere in the world.
Discovery research, which is also called basic or fundamental research, is the first step in the research journey.
In practical terms, Worldwide Cancer Research scientists are seeking to discover something entirely new about the very nature of cancer. Our international cancer researchers study cancer cells in detail, pulling them apart and finding out how they work. The knowledge gained through this global research provides the foundation for all future tests and treatments for cancer.
Other cancer charities tend to focus their efforts on later stages of the research journey – translational and clinical. Translational research involves turning the knowledge made at the discovery stage into something practical, such as a new drug. The next stage, clinical research, is all about clinical trials - studying the safety and efficacy of a new drug or other practical breakthrough. Each stage of cancer research is crucially important, but over time there has been a shift towards funding more translational and clinical research because it is seen as being a less risky investment.
What are the stages of the cancer research journey?
Discovery research
The type of research that Worldwide Cancer Research focuses on funding. Also called basic, fundamental, or novel research, this stage of cancer research provides the foundation for all new cancer cures and advances in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Translational research
This stage of research is all about taking the knowledge uncovered in the lab during discovery research and turning it into something that could potentially be used by patients - a new test or treatment, tool or technology.
Clinical research
Clinical research is the stage of the cancer research journey that involves patients, in the form of clinical trials that are designed to test whether the advances made are safe and effective in human use.
Post-clinical trial
The end of a clinical trial does not mark the end of the cancer research journey. A successful test, treatment, tool, or technology will still need to progress through the relevant approvals processes (which differ from country to country) before they will be available for use for patients. And additional clinical trials are likely to follow too - for example, to find out whether any success can be replicated in other types of cancer. Even if a clinical trial is not successful, it's not the end of the road. The results may have signposted intriguing new directions to explore, potentially sparking more discovery, translational, or clinical research.
Worryingly, research has shown that global funding for discovery research has declined by around 25% since 2006.
That's a huge drop in funding for a type of research that plays a vital part in the research journey. We need to start with new ideas in the lab in order to end up with new cures, so it's vital that international funding is maintained in this area to provide hope for the future for the millions of people who are affected by cancer.
That is why Worldwide Cancer Research are flying the flag for discovery research and what makes us different from other cancer charities.
We focus on funding this specific type of research because we understand its importance for starting new cancer cures. If we don’t continue to invest in scientists at this stage, we won't be able to move research on to the translational or clinical stages, and ultimately get new tests or treatments for cancer in the hospitals where they can save lives.
FAQs
How does Worldwide Cancer Research decide what discovery research to fund?
Our Research Strategy guides us to fund the best ideas with the biggest potential for impact. With the help of our expert Scientific Advisory Committee we select the most innovative cancer research from around the world.
How is your discovery research impacting cancer patients?
All new cancer treatments and cures start with discovery research. Olaparib has now helped over 140,000 cancer patients worldwide, and it is thanks to discovery research that this game-changing treatment was developed.
How do my donations help support discovery research?
Every penny donated by Curestarters helps Worldwide Cancer Research to fund more vital research. Our researchers simply couldn’t carry out their work without you. Together we can save lives by discovering the next cure for cancer.
Donate now & become a Curestarter
Be part of a united effort to stop lives being cut short by cancer.
