Why fund cancer research worldwide?

Cancer is a global issue - it affects us all. Worldwide Cancer Research is a UK charity, funding the most innovative discovery research ideas from across the world. Because we know the best ideas that could transform our understanding of cancer can come from anywhere.

A global challenge like cancer requires collective contribution.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide and the number of cases is expected to continue to rise. We urgently need to start more discoveries that will lead to new cures, because no one should lose a loved one too soon.

Find out more about the projects we fund

Breakthroughs without borders. Because bright new ideas can come from anywhere

By funding research across the globe we can have the greatest potential impact on the future of cancer research - because international collaboration pushes scientific advances further, faster.

Partnering with other international organisations to jointly fund projects makes our research investments go further, too. And while the research happens worldwide, the findings lead to new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer that impact lives locally, potentially saving the lives of the people we love.

For over 40 years, our Curestarters have supported ground-breaking science across the world, accelerating the impact of research and finding new cures. Through collective contribution and human ingenuity, we can start new cures - will you join our united effort today?

Cancer research is international by nature. This means that researchers from different countries together advance the frontiers of knowledge on cancer. This progress benefits future cancer patients in all countries, regardless of where the discoveries are made.

Dr Staffan Stromblad Sweden

From Singapore to Spain and Norway to New Zealand.

Our worldwide impact since 1979:

£213m+

of funding on...
2,000+

innovative projects in...
450+

different research institutes in...
5

continents and...
35

countries around the world

Breakthroughs without borders:

Real life impact
Five key risk factors for endometrial cancer that you should know about

Thanks to your support Dr Tracy O’Mara and her team in Australia have made an important breakthrough in understanding risk factors for endometrial cancer.

Australia Five key risk factors for endometrial cancer that you should know about
Real life impact
The incredible story behind a lifesaving cancer drug

Our research helped launch a revolutionary drug that has already been used to treat over 75,000 cancer patients worldwide. Clinical trials are ongoing to see if it could save even more.

United Kingdom The incredible story behind a lifesaving cancer drug
Real life impact
Drugging the 'undruggable' target in cancer

A research project you helped fund in 2013 allowed Dr Laura Soucek to develop a new treatment called omomyc, and prove that it was ready for clinical trials.

Spain Drugging the 'undruggable' target in cancer
Real life impact
Using lithium to prevent bowel cancer

Your support helped Professor Louis Vermeulen make a discovery that has led to the psychiatric drug lithium being tested in clinical trials to prevent bowel cancer.

Netherlands The discovery that led to the psychiatric drug lithium being tested as a way to prevent bowel cancer
Real life impact
Repurposing a diabetes drug for cancer treatment

Your support helped a drug for type 2 diabetes be tested in over 100 clinical trials for treatment and prevention of cancer.

United Kingdom Repurposing a diabetes drug for cancer treatment
Real life impact
Mini tumour organoids to help personalise cancer treatment

You helped fund research that allowed scientists to grow mini tumour organoids in the lab from a patient’s own cancer cells to study the disease and personalise treatment.

Netherlands Mini tumour organoids to help personalise cancer treatment
Help fund the next best idea in cancer research - wherever in the world it is.

Find out how

Explore more examples of impact

Scientific research is a global enterprise that transcends borders, and researchers around the world collaborate to make new discoveries and develop new technologies. It is therefore essential that institutions such as Worldwide Cancer Research provide international funding.