Our main purpose is simple: to save lives by preventing, controlling and curing cancer. We do this through our world-class research into over 200 types of cancer, all of which is entirely funded by our supporters.
We fund over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses across the UK who are working tirelessly to find new and better ways to beat cancer.

What is Cancer?

Cancer cells are different to normal cells in several ways. They don't die if they move to another part of the body and unlike normal cells, cancer cells do not stop reproducing after they have doubled 50 or 60 times. This means that a cancer cell will go on and on and on doubling. So one cell becomes 2, then 4, then 8, then 16....

Cancer cells may either be able to stop themselves self destructing or they self destruct more slowly than they reproduce, so that their numbers continue to increase. Eventually a tumour is formed that is made up of billions of copies of the original cancerous cell. Scientists describe cancer cells as being 'immortal'.

For more informationon cancer, please click the following links, which will take you to the Cancer Research UK website.

More about cancer Where your money goes Fundraising for Cancer Research UK